Take Home Pay Calculator 2026: What Actually Hits Your Bank Account
Take-home pay — the amount that actually lands in your bank account on payday — is the only number that truly matters for your daily financial life. It is your gross salary minus every single deduction: federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and any other payroll withholdings. For most Americans, take-home pay is just 55-70% of their gross salary.
The difference between gross and take-home pay catches many people off guard, especially when starting a new job. A $60,000 annual salary sounds like $5,000/month, but after typical deductions, your actual monthly deposit is closer to $3,500-$3,800. Add a 401(k) contribution and health insurance, and it could drop below $3,200. This calculator helps you understand exactly where every dollar goes.
Use this tool to calculate take-home pay at any pay frequency. Enter your gross salary, and the calculator converts it across all standard pay periods while accounting for holidays and vacation days. Combine the results with your specific deduction estimates to get a clear picture of your actual paycheck.
Key Data & Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Take-Home Ratio (US) | 55-70% of gross |
| Federal Tax (effective avg) | 12-20% for most earners |
| FICA Total | 7.65% of gross |
| Average State Tax | 0-6% (varies by state) |
| Health Insurance (employee) | $120-$600/month |
| Typical 401(k) | 3-10% of gross |
| Median Take-Home Pay | ~$3,800/month |
Pre-Calculated Examples
| Scenario | Gross | Net / Result | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry ($45K) | $45,000 | $35,100/yr ($2,925/mo) | ~78% take-home (no state tax state) |
| Mid ($70K) | $70,000 | $49,700/yr ($4,142/mo) | ~71% take-home (avg state tax) |
| Senior ($100K) | $100,000 | $67,000/yr ($5,583/mo) | ~67% take-home (with 401k + insurance) |
| High ($150K) | $150,000 | $95,000/yr ($7,917/mo) | ~63% take-home (higher brackets) |
Calculate Your Salary
Salary Information
Enter your salary information to see all pay frequency conversions
Who Uses This Calculator?
New job planning
Calculate your actual paycheck before starting a new job so you can plan your budget around real numbers, not gross salary.
Benefits election impact
See how choosing different health insurance tiers or 401(k) contribution levels affects your take-home pay.
State comparison
Compare take-home pay between states with and without income tax to evaluate relocation decisions.
Contract vs W-2 comparison
Understand the take-home difference between W-2 employment (employer handles deductions) and 1099 contract work (you pay self-employment tax).