Simple US Wage & Salary Calculators

Understanding Your US Wage & Salary in 2026

Whether you are starting a new job, comparing job offers, planning to relocate across state lines, or simply trying to figure out your real take-home pay after taxes and deductions, having accurate wage calculation tools is essential. In the United States, the relationship between hourly wage, annual salary, overtime pay, and net (after-tax) income is shaped by a complex mix of federal laws, state tax rules, and employer benefit policies.

This site provides free, privacy-first calculators that help you convert hourly wage to annual salary, calculate monthly net pay after federal and state income taxes, estimate the impact of 401(k) retirement contributions on your paycheck, and compare take-home pay between two states. All calculations happen directly in your web browser — your personal data never leaves your device and is never stored on any server.

Key Factors That Affect Your Paycheck in 2026

• Federal Income Tax: The IRS uses a progressive tax bracket system. For 2026, single filers pay 10% on the first $11,925 of taxable income, with rates climbing to 37% for high earners. Your employer withholds an estimated amount from each paycheck based on your W-4 form settings.
• State Income Tax: If your state has an income tax, this is deducted in addition to federal tax. Rates vary dramatically — from flat rates (e.g., Colorado at 4.4%, Illinois at 4.95%) to progressive brackets (e.g., California tops out at 12.3% for high earners).
• FICA (Social Security & Medicare): All workers pay 6.2% for Social Security (on wages up to $184,500 in 2026) and 1.45% for Medicare. High earners above $200,000 (single) also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax.
• Overtime Pay (FLSA): Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must receive at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. Some states (e.g., California, Alaska) also require daily overtime (over 8 hours/day).
• 401(k) & HSA Pre-Tax Deductions: Contributing to a 401(k) retirement plan or Health Savings Account reduces your taxable income, which directly increases your monthly take-home pay even though your pay stub shows a lower gross amount.
• Paid Time Off & Bonuses: Salaried employees may receive a portion of their annual salary as bonuses or have unpaid weeks that reduce effective monthly income. Our calculators help you model these variations.

Explore our free wage calculators below — each opens as a dedicated, full-featured tool with a Chart.js visual breakdown of federal tax, state tax, FICA, and net pay. Choose the calculator that matches what you need to work out.