Take‑Home Pay Calculator 2026 – After‑Tax Pay by State

Introduction

Your salary isn’t your spendable income—taxes, benefits, and retirement contributions all change what lands in your bank account. Use this 2026 take‑home pay guide to estimate net pay accurately and plan your budget with confidence.

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What Affects Your Net Pay

• Federal income tax (progressive brackets)
• State and local income tax (varies by state)
• Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
• 401(k)/HSA/FSA pretax contributions
• Health, dental, vision premiums
• Filing status and allowances

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Quick Examples (Bi‑Weekly)

Assumptions: W‑2 employee, single, standard deduction.

• $60,000 salary: ~$1,700–$1,850 take‑home depending on state and benefits
• $100,000 salary: ~$2,600–$2,850 take‑home depending on state and benefits
• Add 10% 401(k): net drops modestly while retirement savings grow automatically

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How to Use the Calculator

1. Select your state and filing status
2. Enter salary and pay frequency
3. Add benefits and pretax amounts (401(k), HSA, FSA)
4. View federal/state/FICA breakdown and net pay
5. Export a budget template to allocate your paycheck

Try it now

• Open Budgeting Tools: /calculator/budget
• Explore All Calculators: /calculator

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Optimization Tips for 2026

• Capture full 401(k) match before after‑tax savings
• Use HSA if eligible (triple tax advantage)
• Favor pretax benefits to lower taxable income
• Automate savings on payday (emergency fund + investments)

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FAQ

Q: Best order of operations—debt, savings, investing?
A: Build a small emergency fund, capture employer match, pay high‑interest debt, then raise savings/investing.

Q: How often should I revisit my withholdings?
A: After life changes—raise, marriage, move, new dependents—recalculate to avoid surprises.

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Related Calculators

• Emergency Fund Calculator: /calculator
• Credit Card Payoff Calculator: /calculator
• Retirement Savings Calculator: /calculator/retirement

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W‑4 and Withholding Settings (2026)

Your W‑4 determines how much tax is withheld each paycheck. Update it after major life changes to avoid large balances due or refunds.

Key Sections

• Step 1: Filing status
• Step 2: Multiple jobs/working spouse checkbox
• Step 3: Dependents (child and other credits)
• Step 4: Other income, deductions, extra withholding

Tips

• Use the IRS estimator to fine‑tune withholding
• If you prefer larger paychecks, reduce extra withholding—but recheck mid‑year

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FICA Breakdown (Social Security and Medicare)

• Social Security: 6.2% up to the annual wage base (illustrative)
• Medicare: 1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% additional at higher incomes
• Employers match FICA (your net pay impact is your share)

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State Notes Snapshot

States vary widely. Some have no income tax; others are flat or progressive. Local taxes may apply in certain cities.

• No state tax: e.g., FL, TX, WA (verify current list)
• Flat tax states: single rate across incomes
• Progressive states: higher rates at higher incomes

Use our calculator to select your state and see estimated withholding.

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Bonuses and Supplemental Wages

Employers may use the flat 22% federal supplemental rate (up to $1M) or the aggregate method. FICA and state taxes still apply.

• Compare methods with: Bonus Tax Calculator 2026
• If allowed, increase 401(k)/HSA on bonus payroll to reduce taxable income

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Pay Frequency Differences

Net pay varies with frequency due to rounding and benefit timing:

• Weekly: 52 paychecks
• Bi‑Weekly: 26 paychecks
• Semi‑Monthly: 24 paychecks
• Monthly: 12 paychecks

Convert easily with: Pay Frequency Converter 2026

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Worked Examples

Example 1: $60,000 Salary, Bi‑Weekly, Single

• 10% 401(k), typical health premiums
• Net ≈ range shown by state (use calculator to see precise breakdown)

Example 2: $100,000 Salary, Bi‑Weekly, Married Filing Jointly

• 6% 401(k), HSA $150/paycheck
• Net ≈ varies by state; pretax benefits reduce taxable income

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CTA: See Your Exact Paycheck

Open the calculator, enter your salary, benefits, and state, and export a one‑page budget‑ready summary.

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Key Takeaways

• Compare mortgage rates and terms to find the most affordable option
• A larger down payment reduces your monthly payment and total interest
• Consider refinancing when rates drop significantly below your current rate

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter your financial details in the fields above
2. Adjust parameters to match your specific situation
3. Review the calculated results and projections
4. Compare different scenarios to find the optimal strategy

Tips for Better Results

• Use realistic estimates based on current market conditions
• Update your calculations regularly as your situation changes
• Consider consulting a financial advisor for complex decisions
• Remember that calculator results are estimates, not guarantees