First Paycheck Calculator
Congrats on the offer. Here's what you'll actually take home after taxes, by state, so payday isn't a surprise.
That’s an effective tax rate of about 22.1%. Your first paycheck feels smaller than the salary suggests because taxes come out before you ever see it.
General information, not investment, tax, or legal advice. Full note at the bottom of the page.
Where your paycheck goes
Your salary is the number before taxes. Three things come out before the money hits your account:
Federal income tax is progressive: you pay a low rate on your first dollars and higher rates only on income above each bracket, after subtracting the standard deduction. FICA is a flat 7.65% (6.2% Social Security up to an annual wage cap, plus 1.45% Medicare). State income tax depends on where you work, from 0% in nine states to high-single-digit rates elsewhere.
This calculator runs the same 2026 tax math Dividnd uses, for a single filer taking the standard deduction, so the take-home number is realistic rather than a rough rule of thumb. It doesn't subtract elective pre-tax items like 401(k) contributions or health premiums, that money still lowers your cash paycheck, but it goes into your own accounts, not to taxes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my take-home pay less than my salary?
Taxes come out before you're paid. Your paycheck is your salary minus federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and any state income tax. Your salary is the number before all of that.
Which states have no income tax?
Nine states don't tax wage income: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. In those states your take-home is higher because there's no state income tax withheld.
What is FICA?
FICA is the payroll tax for Social Security (6.2% of wages up to an annual cap) and Medicare (1.45% of all wages). It's separate from income tax and funds those two federal programs.
Does this include my 401(k) or health insurance?
No. This shows your salary minus taxes. Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health-insurance premiums reduce your cash paycheck further, but that money goes toward your own savings and benefits. Use our 401(k) match calculator to see that side.
Is this exact?
It's a close estimate using 2026 tax brackets for a single filer taking the standard deduction. Your employer's actual withholding, your filing status, and your full situation can shift the number, but this gets you the right ballpark.
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For general information only. These calculators use simplified, current-year assumptions and are not tax, legal, or investment advice. Your actual numbers depend on your full situation. Dividnd is not a registered investment adviser.