Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and 401(k) contributions.
Your salary isn't your take-home pay. Between federal taxes, state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and retirement contributions, most workers keep only 65–75% of their gross income. This calculator breaks down every deduction so you know exactly where your money goes — and helps you optimize your 401(k) contributions for maximum tax savings.
On a $80,000 salary, your take-home pay is $4,436/month after an effective tax rate of 33.5%. That's $53,227/year.
Take-home pay
Gross monthly
$6,667
Net monthly
$4,436
Effective tax rate
33.5%
Annual take-home
$53,227
Monthly deductions
How to use this calculator
Annual gross salary — Your total salary before any deductions. This is your offer letter amount.
State income tax rate — Your state's income tax rate. Range: 0% (TX, FL, WA, NV) to 13.3% (CA). Use 0% if you live in a no-income-tax state.
401(k) contribution — Percentage of salary you contribute to your 401(k). At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match — it's free money.
Social Security & Medicare — FICA taxes: 6.2% for Social Security (up to $168,600 wage base) and 1.45% for Medicare. Your employer pays an equal amount.
Real-world examples
$80K salary, 5% state tax, 5% 401(k)
Gross: $6,667/month. After federal tax ($980), state tax ($333), SS ($413), Medicare ($97), 401(k) ($333): take-home = ~$4,511/month. Effective rate: ~32%.
$120K salary, no state tax, 10% 401(k)
Gross: $10,000/month. After federal ($1,530), no state, SS ($434), Medicare ($145), 401(k) ($1,000): take-home = ~$6,891/month. The 10% 401(k) saves ~$240/month in federal taxes.
$50K salary, 3% state tax, 3% 401(k)
Gross: $4,167/month. After federal ($423), state ($125), SS ($258), Medicare ($60), 401(k) ($125): take-home = ~$3,176/month. Lower brackets mean less tax impact from 401(k) contributions.
Formula & Methodology
Federal tax (2024 brackets, single)
Marginal brackets — only income within each range is taxed at that rate.
FICA taxes
Assumptions & limitations
- Uses 2024 federal tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction ($14,600).
- Does not include local/city taxes, which can add 1–4% in some areas.
- Does not account for itemized deductions, tax credits, or HSA contributions.
- 401(k) contribution reduces taxable income for federal and state taxes but not FICA.
Frequently asked questions
Is this accurate?
This is an estimate using 2024 federal brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual paychecks may vary based on allowances, pre-tax deductions, and local taxes.
How can I reduce my tax burden?
Maximize 401(k) contributions ($23,000 in 2024), contribute to an HSA ($4,150), and consider Roth IRA conversions. Each $1,000 in 401(k) contributions saves ~$220–$320 in federal taxes.
What about the employer side of FICA?
Employers pay an additional 6.2% SS + 1.45% Medicare = 7.65%. Self-employed workers pay both halves (15.3% total) via self-employment tax, but can deduct half.
Should I use pre-tax or Roth 401(k)?
Pre-tax reduces your current tax bill but withdrawals are taxed. Roth uses after-tax money but withdrawals are tax-free. Generally: use pre-tax if you're in a high bracket now, Roth if you expect higher taxes in retirement.