Salary & Take-Home Pay Calculator

Know What You Actually Take Home

Your salary and your take-home pay are two very different numbers. Between federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, a significant portion of your gross pay goes to mandatory deductions before you receive a cent. Understanding exactly how much you keep is essential for realistic budgeting.

This calculator converts between all standard pay periods and estimates your federal tax burden using the 2024 brackets, Social Security contributions, and Medicare withholding. The result is a clear picture of your actual take-home pay per paycheck.

How Federal Income Tax Works

The US uses a progressive tax system with seven brackets. Your income is not taxed at a single flat rate. Instead, each portion of your income is taxed at the rate for the bracket it falls into. The first dollars you earn are taxed at 10%, the next portion at 12%, and so on up to 37% for the highest earners.

This means that moving into a higher tax bracket does not cause all of your income to be taxed at the higher rate. Only the income above the bracket threshold is affected. Your effective tax rate — total tax divided by total income — is always lower than your marginal bracket rate.

Social Security and Medicare

In addition to income tax, you pay FICA taxes: 6.2% for Social Security on the first $168,600 of earnings and 1.45% for Medicare on all earnings. If your income exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly), an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to the amount above the threshold.

These are employee-side contributions only. Your employer pays a matching amount, but that does not appear on your paycheck. Self-employed individuals pay both halves.

Converting Between Pay Periods

Comparing job offers often requires converting between different pay structures. A $75,000 annual salary equals roughly $36.06 per hour assuming 40 hours per week, or about $2,884.62 per biweekly paycheck before taxes. These conversions assume 52 weeks, 26 biweekly periods, and 260 working days per year.

The conversion table in this calculator shows both gross and estimated net amounts for every period, making it easy to compare offers regardless of how the compensation is presented.

What This Calculator Does Not Include

This tool provides federal tax estimates only. It does not account for state income taxes, city or local taxes, pre-tax retirement contributions, health insurance premiums, or other payroll deductions. Your actual paycheck may differ from these estimates. For comprehensive tax planning, consult a qualified tax professional.