JOBWHIP

🏦 Take-Home Pay Calculator

Turn a gross salary into an estimated net paycheck — set a combined effective tax rate and your pre-tax 401(k) and insurance deductions to see what actually lands in your account each year, month, and payday.

Rough estimate only. This uses one combined effective tax rate to stand in for federal, state, and FICA. Real withholding depends on your filing status, tax brackets, credits, and locality. It is not tax advice — consult a qualified professional.

🏦 Estimated take-home pay

Net per paycheck (26/yr)
$2,003.37
Net per year
$52,087.50
Net per month
$4,340.63
Pre-tax deductions
$5,550.00
Estimated tax
$17,362.50
Gross per paycheck
$2,884.62

Gross vs. net — know the difference

The salary in your offer letter is gross pay. What reaches your bank account is net — after taxes and deductions take their share. Getting a realistic net figure early stops the nasty surprise when your first paycheck arrives smaller than expected, and it makes budgeting, rent decisions, and offer comparisons far more honest.

Contributing to a pre-tax 401(k) lowers your taxable pay now, which is why raising that percentage nudges your estimated tax down. Pair this with the Salary to Hourly Calculator and the Job Offer Comparison Calculator to see the full picture.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How is take-home pay estimated here?

It subtracts pre-tax deductions from your gross salary, then applies one combined effective tax rate: net = (gross − pre-tax deductions) × (1 − tax rate). Pre-tax deductions are your 401(k) percentage plus any pre-tax insurance dollars. The result is divided into per-year, per-month, and per-paycheck figures based on your pay frequency.

What should I put for the effective tax rate?

The single rate stands in for federal income tax, state income tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare) combined. For many U.S. workers a rough all-in effective rate lands somewhere around 20–30%, which is why the default is 25%. Your real number depends on income, filing status, state, and credits — check a recent pay stub, where withholding ÷ gross gives you a good starting rate.

Why doesn't this match my actual paycheck?

Because real withholding is far more detailed than one flat rate. Tax is progressive across brackets, FICA has wage caps, state and local rules vary, and credits, garnishments, and post-tax deductions all change the result. Treat this as a ballpark for budgeting and offer comparisons, then confirm against your pay stub or a tax professional.

Is this tax advice?

No. This is a simplified estimate for planning only — not tax, financial, or legal advice. Your actual taxes depend on your filing status, brackets, locality, and personal circumstances. Consult a qualified professional (an accountant or tax advisor) before making decisions based on these numbers.