Your gross salary is reduced by several taxes before you’re paid. Three of them — federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare — are the same in every state. The fourth, state income tax, is where your location matters most: it can be zero or it can top 10%.

Federal income tax

Progressive 10%–37% on income after the federal standard deduction ($15,000 single / $30,000 married for 2025).

FICA — Social Security & Medicare

6.2% Social Security (up to $176,100) + 1.45% Medicare on all wages.

State income tax

Set by each state — from 0% in no-tax states to over 10% in the highest.

Pre-tax deductions

401(k), HSA and similar contributions lower your taxable income and your tax bill.

Frequently asked questions

What does a paycheck calculator do? +

It estimates your net "take-home" pay — what actually reaches your bank account — by subtracting federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and your state's taxes from your gross salary or hourly wage.

Why does take-home pay differ by state? +

Federal tax and FICA are the same everywhere, but each state sets its own income tax. Nine states have no income tax at all, while others charge over 10%, so the same salary can yield very different take-home pay depending on where you live.

Is EasyPayCalc free? +

Yes — every calculator is completely free, requires no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser, so your salary information is never sent to a server.

Disclaimer: EasyPayCalc provides estimates for educational purposes only using 2025 tax figures and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Verify with a qualified professional or the relevant tax authority.