What is the Salary Calculator?
In short
With $75,000 gross pay, $6,000 in 401(k) contributions, single filing status and a 5% flat state rate, estimated take-home is $53,463 a year, or $4,455 a month. Eligible cafeteria-plan deductions also reduce Social Security and Medicare wages; 401(k) deferrals do not. State-specific payroll charges are not included.
This salary calculator estimates US take-home pay using 2026 federal brackets, Social Security, Medicare, a flat state income-tax rate and eligible pre-tax deductions. Separate 401(k) contributions from cafeteria-plan payroll deductions so their different FICA treatment is reflected. Compare annual, monthly, biweekly, weekly and hourly estimates.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter your annual gross salary.
- 2Choose your filing status (single or married filing jointly).
- 3Enter your state's flat income tax rate (check your state revenue department).
- 4Enter eligible annual pre-tax 401(k) contributions in their own field.
- 5Enter eligible payroll HSA, health FSA and qualifying health premiums in the cafeteria-plan field, excluding personal HSA deposits outside that plan.
- 6Read your take-home pay at every frequency.
The formula
- G
- — Annual gross salary
- D
- — Total pre-tax deductions: 401(k) plus eligible cafeteria-plan deductions
- H
- — Eligible cafeteria-plan deductions, already included in D
- W
- — Social Security and Medicare wages: G minus H
- B
- — Social Security wage cap: $184,500 in 2026
- T_f
- — Federal income tax (progressive brackets)
- T_s
- — State income tax (flat rate applied here)
- FICA
- — Employee Social Security and regular Medicare tax; Additional Medicare tax is not modelled
Worked example
The scenario
$75,000 gross, single filer, 5% state tax, $6,000 in 401(k) contributions.
The result
Taxable income = $75,000 − $6,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $52,900. Federal tax = $6,350. State tax = ($75,000 − $6,000) × 5% = $3,450. FICA = $5,737.50 because 401(k) deferrals stay in FICA wages. Take-home = $53,462.50/year ($4,455.21/month). If $4,000 of the same $6,000 instead goes to an eligible cafeteria-plan HSA, FICA falls to $5,431.50 and take-home rises to $53,768.50, a $306 increase.
Common use cases
- Comparing job offers in different states
- Deciding how much of a raise is actually take-home
- Planning a budget using real net income
- Estimating the tax saving from 401(k) contributions
Limitations & assumptions
- State tax is modelled as a flat rate — many states use progressive brackets; check your state's official rate.
- Models regular employee Social Security and Medicare only; Additional Medicare tax, tax credits and itemized deductions are not included.
- Does not model local/city income taxes.
- State-specific payroll contributions (such as disability or paid-leave deductions) are not included. Use the paycheck calculator for its supported state payroll rules.
- The cafeteria-plan field assumes eligible Section 125 payroll deductions. Personal HSA deposits outside that plan do not reduce FICA wages. Eligibility and contribution/catch-up limits are not checked.
- Both fields reduce the entered flat state-tax base here; actual state treatment can differ, including for HSA contributions.
- Employer contributions (Social Security, Medicare match, 401k match) are not included.
Official sources
Official publications for rules and figures this page uses. Rates and rules change, so confirm the current figures with the publisher before you rely on them:
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32: 2026 tax brackets, standard deduction and other inflation adjustments (irs.gov)
- IRS Topic No. 751: Social Security and Medicare withholding rates (2026 wage base) (irs.gov)
- IRS Publication 15 (2026): 401(k) deferrals and Section 125 HSA payroll deductions (irs.gov)
- IRS Publication 15-B (2026): cafeteria-plan benefits are exempt from Social Security and Medicare tax (irs.gov)
Frequently asked questions
What is FICA tax?
What is the standard deduction?
What is an effective tax rate?
How do pre-tax deductions help?
How much does a $10,000 raise actually add to take-home pay?
Does this cover all US states?
Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.