US Pay Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay with our free US paycheck calculator. Easily see federal, state, and local taxes, and understand where your money goes.
💰 Salary Calculator
Enter your gross annual salary before taxes
State taxes vary significantly across the US
Your filing status affects your tax brackets
401k, health insurance, HSA contributions
Your Paycheck Breakdown
Take-Home Pay
$50,721
Annual net income after all deductions
Monthly
$4,226.75
Bi-weekly
$1,950.808
Tax Breakdown
Effective Tax Rate: 25.7%
🎓 Payroll Wisdom from the Frontier
Federal Tax System
•The US uses a progressive tax system with 7 tax brackets (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%)
•Higher income is taxed at higher rates, but only the income in each bracket is taxed at that rate
•Standard deduction for 2024: $14,600 (single), $29,200 (married filing jointly)
•Tax brackets are adjusted annually for inflation
💡 Pro Tip: You only pay the higher tax rate on income above each bracket threshold, not your entire income.
State Tax Variations
•9 states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming
•California has the highest state tax rate at 13.3% for high earners
•Some states tax investment income differently than wages
•Local taxes may also apply in certain cities and counties
💡 Pro Tip: Moving to a no-tax state can significantly increase your take-home pay, but consider cost of living differences.
FICA Taxes Explained
•Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $160,200 (2024 limit)
•Medicare: 1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% additional tax on high earners ($200k+ single)
•Your employer matches these contributions (total 15.3%)
•Self-employed individuals pay both portions (15.3% total)
💡 Pro Tip: FICA taxes fund your future Social Security and Medicare benefits - think of it as forced retirement savings.
Pre-tax Benefits
•401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income (2024 limit: $23,000, $30,500 if 50+)
•Health insurance premiums are typically pre-tax
•HSA contributions are triple tax-advantaged (deductible, grow tax-free, tax-free withdrawals for medical)
•Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care
💡 Pro Tip: Maximizing pre-tax contributions can significantly reduce your tax burden and increase take-home pay.
Understanding Tax Rates
•Marginal tax rate: The rate on your last dollar of income
•Effective tax rate: Total taxes divided by total income
•Tax credits reduce taxes dollar-for-dollar (better than deductions)
•Deductions reduce taxable income, credits reduce actual tax owed
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on your effective tax rate for budgeting - it represents your actual tax burden.
Salary Negotiation Tips
•Research market rates using sites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and levels.fyi
•Consider total compensation: salary, benefits, equity, bonuses
•Negotiate based on value you bring, not personal financial needs
•Best time to negotiate is during job offer or annual review
💡 Pro Tip: A $10,000 salary increase might only net you $6,000-7,000 after taxes - negotiate other benefits too.
🗺️ Trail Guide: How to Use This Calculator
Step 1: Enter Your Salary
Input your gross annual salary before any deductions.
This should be your base salary plus any guaranteed bonuses or commissions. Don't include variable income like overtime or performance bonuses.
Step 2: Select Your State
Choose your state of residence for accurate tax calculations.
Your state of residence (not where you work) determines your state tax liability. Some states have reciprocity agreements for border workers.
Step 3: Add Deductions
Include pre-tax deductions like 401k and health insurance.
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, lowering your overall tax burden. Common deductions include retirement contributions and health premiums.
📚 Tax Concepts Every Cowboy Should Know
📈 Progressive Tax System
A tax system where the tax rate increases as taxable income increases. The US federal tax system has seven brackets ranging from 10% to 37%.
Real Example:
If you earn $50,000, you pay 10% on the first $11,000, 12% on income from $11,001 to $44,725, and 22% on income from $44,726 to $50,000.
Key Points:
- →You never take home less money by earning more
- →Only income in higher brackets is taxed at higher rates
- →Tax brackets are adjusted annually for inflation
🏦 Standard vs. Itemized Deductions
You can either take the standard deduction (a fixed amount) or itemize specific deductions like mortgage interest, charitable donations, and state/local taxes.
Real Example:
For 2024, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers. If your itemized deductions (mortgage interest, charity, etc.) total more than $14,600, itemizing saves money.
Key Points:
- →Most taxpayers take the standard deduction
- →Itemizing makes sense if you have high mortgage interest, large charitable donations, or high state taxes
- →You can only choose one method per tax year
🎯 Tax Credits vs. Deductions
Deductions reduce your taxable income, while credits directly reduce the tax you owe. Credits are generally more valuable than deductions.
Real Example:
A $1,000 deduction saves you $220 if you're in the 22% bracket. A $1,000 credit saves you the full $1,000 in taxes.
Key Points:
- →Credits provide dollar-for-dollar tax reduction
- →Some credits are refundable (you get money back even if you owe no tax)
- →Common credits include Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, and education credits
💼 FICA Taxes
Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. You pay 7.65% and your employer matches it for a total of 15.3%.
Real Example:
On a $75,000 salary, you pay $4,650 in Social Security tax (6.2%) and $1,087.50 in Medicare tax (1.45%). Your employer pays the same amounts.
Key Points:
- →Social Security tax caps at $160,200 of income (2024)
- →Medicare tax has no cap and includes additional 0.9% for high earners
- →Self-employed individuals pay both employee and employer portions
🤝 What Fellow Cowboys Say
Sarah Johnson
Software Engineer, Austin TX
"Finally understand where my paycheck goes! This calculator helped me optimize my 401k contributions and save $3,000 in taxes last year."
Mike Rodriguez
Marketing Manager, Denver CO
"The state-by-state comparison feature helped me negotiate a better salary when relocating. The tax knowledge section is pure gold!"
Emily Chen
Nurse Practitioner, Seattle WA
"As someone new to the US tax system, this tool made everything crystal clear. The explanations are perfect for beginners like me."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Built with 🤠 for American workers. Ride safe, calculate smart.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates. Consult a tax professional for precise calculations.