Paycheck Calculator by State
Estimate net paycheck by state with editable federal, state, local, payroll tax, and deduction assumptions.
This page is an editable estimator with realistic defaults so you can model your own situation in minutes.
Net paycheck = gross pay - pretax deductions - estimated taxes - post-tax deductions.
Treat the result as a planning estimate and verify important numbers with the relevant official source before acting.
| State | California | |
|---|---|---|
| City/locality | San Francisco | |
| Estimated taxes | $1,104.00 | |
| Pay periods/year | 26 |
Assumptions
- Use current employer, payroll, tax authority, benefits, exchange-rate, housing, and cost-index sources where possible.
- Taxes, deductions, benefits, household facts, withholding methods, pay periods, and local cost patterns can change real results.
- This is a planning estimate, not tax, legal, payroll, relocation, lending, or financial advice.
How this calculator works
Formula used
Net paycheck = gross pay - pretax deductions - estimated taxes - post-tax deductions.
Example calculation
Plug in your own numbers and the result updates instantly. Net paycheck = gross pay - pretax deductions - estimated taxes - post-tax deductions.
How this calculator estimates the result
The calculator starts with your gross pay for the period, subtracts pretax deductions (such as 401(k) and HSA), then estimates federal income tax using 2026 IRS brackets and your filing status, employee FICA (Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to the annual wage base and Medicare at 1.45%, plus the 0.9% Additional Medicare tax on high earners), state income tax using each state's published bracket structure or flat rate, and any post-tax deductions you enter. The remainder is your estimated net paycheck.
Assumptions baked in
- 2026 IRS federal brackets, standard deduction, and Social Security wage base.
- Single-employer wages with the same gross every pay period.
- State income tax follows the published state schedule or flat rate; no city or county wage tax is added unless you enter it.
- Pretax deductions reduce federal and FICA wages where the IRS permits (e.g. 401(k), HSA).
- No additional withholding entered on Form W-4 Step 4(c).
What this calculator does not do
- Does not model bonuses taxed at the supplemental rate, equity vesting, or multi-state wages.
- Does not include city/local payroll taxes (e.g. NYC, San Francisco, Philadelphia) unless added as a post-tax deduction.
- Does not calculate state-specific credits, exemptions, or reciprocity rules.
- Does not handle self-employment, 1099 income, or estimated-tax payments.
A step-by-step example
Scenario: Single filer in Texas, $90,000 gross annual salary, paid bi-weekly, $300 per paycheck to a traditional 401(k), no other deductions.
- Gross pay per check = $90,000 / 26 = $3,461.54.
- Pretax 401(k) = $300, so federal taxable wages = $3,161.54.
- Federal income tax (2026 single brackets, standard deduction annualized) ≈ $369 per check.
- Social Security = 6.2% × $3,461.54 = $214.62.
- Medicare = 1.45% × $3,461.54 = $50.19.
- Texas state income tax = $0.
Result: Estimated net paycheck ≈ $3,461.54 − $300 − $369 − $214.62 − $50.19 = about $2,527.73 every two weeks.
Official references
- IRS – Tax Withholding Estimator
- IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) – Employer's Tax Guide
- SSA – Contribution and Benefit Base
Sources open in a new tab. Numbers in formulas and brackets above reflect the most recent publicly available values at the time of writing and are reviewed periodically by the TDL Expert Panel.
Paycheck Calculator by State FAQ
Is this paycheck calculator by state tax or financial advice?
No. It is an educational planning estimate only. It does not replace payroll software, an employer, tax authority, CPA, relocation specialist, lender, or financial advisor.
Why are tax and cost assumptions editable?
Taxes, benefits, deductions, local rules, household facts, exchange rates, cost-of-living data, and employer payroll settings vary widely by country, state, city, and year.
What should I verify before making a decision?
Confirm tax rates, pay frequency, benefits, payroll deductions, exchange rates, housing costs, cost indexes, and official withholding guidance with current sources.