Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
Enter your hourly rate, hours worked, and tax details below. Results update automatically as you type.
| Item | Per Period | Annual |
|---|
Annual Projections
How Paycheck Deductions Work
When you receive a paycheck, your employer withholds several types of taxes and deductions before you get your take-home pay. Understanding each deduction helps you plan your finances and verify your pay stub is correct.
1. Gross Pay
Your gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. For hourly workers, this is calculated as:
Gross = (Hourly Rate x Regular Hours) + (Hourly Rate x 1.5 x Overtime Hours)
2. Pre-Tax Deductions
These are subtracted from gross pay before taxes are calculated, reducing your taxable income. Common examples include traditional 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and dependent care FSA. The more you contribute pre-tax, the less you pay in income taxes.
3. Federal Income Tax
Federal tax is calculated using progressive tax brackets. Your income is divided into portions that are each taxed at an increasing rate. The amount withheld from each paycheck is based on your filing status, number of allowances on your W-4, and the annualized version of your pay period income.
4. FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
FICA taxes fund Social Security and Medicare programs. As an employee, you pay:
- Social Security: 6.2% of gross wages up to $168,600 (2024 wage base)
- Medicare: 1.45% of all gross wages, plus an additional 0.9% on wages over $200,000
- Combined rate: 7.65% for most workers
Your employer pays a matching amount, so the total FICA contribution is 15.3%.
5. State Income Tax
State income tax rates vary widely. Nine states (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming) have no state income tax on wages. Other states range from flat rates around 3% to progressive rates exceeding 13% at the highest brackets.
6. Post-Tax Deductions
These are subtracted after all taxes are calculated. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, wage garnishments, union dues, and certain insurance premiums. These do not reduce your taxable income.
Overtime Rules Under the FLSA
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay non-exempt employees overtime at 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. Key points:
- Overtime is calculated on a workweek basis (a fixed, recurring 168-hour period), not averaged across pay periods.
- Salaried employees may still be eligible for overtime if they do not meet the FLSA exemption tests.
- Some states (like California) also require daily overtime after 8 hours and double time after 12 hours.
- Certain industries (healthcare, emergency services) have special overtime provisions.
FICA Tax Rates Reference
| Tax | Employee Rate | Wage Base / Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | $168,600 (2024) |
| Medicare | 1.45% | No limit |
| Additional Medicare | 0.9% | Over $200,000 |
| Total FICA (typical) | 7.65% | -- |
2024 Federal Income Tax Brackets (Single)
| Taxable Income | Marginal Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 -- $11,600 | 10% |
| $11,601 -- $47,150 | 12% |
| $47,151 -- $100,525 | 22% |
| $100,526 -- $191,950 | 24% |
| $191,951 -- $243,725 | 32% |
| $243,726 -- $609,350 | 35% |
| Over $609,350 | 37% |
State Income Tax Quick Reference
Use this table to find the approximate state income tax rate for your state. Enter the rate in the calculator above.
| State | Approximate Rate |
|---|---|
| Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming | 0% |
| Arizona, North Dakota | 2.5% |
| Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Utah | 3.0% -- 4.9% |
| Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin | 5.0% -- 5.9% |
| Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia | 5.0% -- 7.0% |
| New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Hawaii, California | 7.0% -- 13.3% |
Rates shown are simplified approximations. Many states use progressive brackets. Check your state's tax authority for exact rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is take-home pay calculated from an hourly wage?
Take-home pay is calculated by first determining your gross pay (hourly rate times hours worked, including overtime at 1.5x for hours beyond 40 per week). Then federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), any applicable state income tax, and other deductions are subtracted. The remaining amount is your net take-home pay.
What is FICA and how much is it?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It includes Social Security tax at 6.2% (up to the annual wage base of $168,600) and Medicare tax at 1.45% on all wages. The combined employee FICA rate is 7.65%. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to wages over $200,000 per year.
How does overtime pay work?
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees receive 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. For example, if your regular rate is $20/hour, overtime hours are paid at $30/hour. Some states have additional daily overtime rules.
What are pre-tax deductions?
Pre-tax deductions are amounts subtracted from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. They lower your taxable income, which means you pay less in income taxes. Common pre-tax deductions include traditional 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and flexible spending accounts.
How accurate is this paycheck calculator?
This calculator provides estimates based on 2024 federal tax brackets, standard FICA rates, and a flat state tax rate you enter. Actual paychecks may differ due to W-4 elections, local taxes, specific state bracket structures, additional deductions, and employer-specific policies. For exact figures, consult your pay stub or a tax professional.
Does this calculator store my financial data?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser. No wage, tax, or personal data is sent to any server, and nothing is stored.
Privacy & Limitations
Privacy: This calculator runs entirely in your browser. No financial data -- including wages, hours, or tax information -- is transmitted or stored anywhere.
Limitations: This tool uses simplified 2024 federal tax brackets and a flat state tax rate for estimation purposes. It does not account for local taxes, specific W-4 configurations, earned income credits, or other individual circumstances. Results are estimates and should not be used as tax advice.
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Hourly Paycheck Calculator FAQ
How is take-home pay calculated from an hourly wage?
Take-home pay is calculated by first determining gross pay (hourly rate times hours worked, including overtime at 1.5x for hours over 40), then subtracting federal income tax, Social Security tax (6.2%), Medicare tax (1.45%), any applicable state income tax, and pre-tax deductions such as retirement contributions or health insurance premiums.
What is FICA and how much is it?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It includes Social Security tax at 6.2% of gross wages (up to the annual wage base of $168,600 in 2024) and Medicare tax at 1.45% of all gross wages. The combined FICA rate is 7.65%. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to wages over $200,000.
How does overtime pay work?
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Some states have additional overtime rules, such as daily overtime thresholds.
What are pre-tax deductions?
Pre-tax deductions are amounts subtracted from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. Common examples include 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and flexible spending accounts. These reduce your taxable income, lowering the amount of tax you owe.
How accurate is this paycheck calculator?
This calculator provides estimates based on simplified federal tax brackets, standard FICA rates, and a flat state tax approximation. Actual paychecks may differ due to specific state tax rules, local taxes, employer-specific deductions, W-4 elections, and other factors. For exact figures, consult your employer's payroll department or a tax professional.
Does this calculator store my financial data?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, and nothing is stored.