How to Calculate Your Take-Home Pay in the US (2026)
March 20, 2026 · 10 min read
Your gross salary and your take-home pay can differ by 20–35% depending on where you live and how much you earn. This guide explains every deduction step-by-step, with a real $75,000 salary example.
Step 1: Start With Gross Pay
Gross pay is your salary before any deductions. For a $75,000/year salary paid biweekly, gross pay per paycheck is $75,000 ÷ 26 = $2,884.62.
Step 2: Subtract Pre-Tax Deductions
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income. Common ones include 401(k) contributions (up to $23,500 in 2026), HSA contributions ($4,300 single / $8,550 family), and employer health insurance premiums. If you contribute $6,000/year to a 401(k), your taxable income drops to $69,000.
Step 3: Calculate Federal Income Tax
The US uses a progressive tax system. For 2026 single filers:
| Taxable Income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,925 | 10% |
| $11,926 – $48,475 | 12% |
| $48,476 – $103,350 | 22% |
| $103,351 – $197,300 | 24% |
| $197,301 – $250,525 | 32% |
| $250,526 – $626,350 | 35% |
| Over $626,350 | 37% |
On $69,000 taxable income, federal tax is approximately $9,800 (effective rate ~14.2%).
Step 4: Subtract FICA Taxes
FICA = Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $184,500) + Medicare (1.45% on all wages) = 7.65% total. On $75,000 gross: $5,737.50.
Step 5: Subtract State Income Tax
State tax varies dramatically. The same $75,000 salary yields very different take-home depending on your state:
Step 6: Your Take-Home Pay
For our $75,000 Texas example: $75,000 − $6,000 (401k) − $9,800 (federal) − $5,738 (FICA) − $0 (state) = $53,462/year or $2,056/biweekly paycheck.
State-by-State Calculators
Each state has different tax rules. Use these free calculators for your exact state:
Enter your salary, state, and pay frequency. Get your exact take-home pay in seconds. No data stored.
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