Take-Home Pay Calculator: How Much of Your Salary Do You Actually Keep?
Learn how gross salary becomes net pay—federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax—with multi-state examples and US5’s take-home pay calculator.
Take-Home Pay Calculator: How Much of Your Salary Do You Actually Keep?
Quick Answer: Gross pay is what the offer letter says. Take-home (net) pay is what’s left after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare (FICA), and—in many states—state income tax. On US5’s estimator, a $100,000 salary keeps about $73,071 in California versus about $78,509 in Texas or Florida under standard single assumptions.
Try it now: Take-Home Pay Calculator · California salaries · Texas salaries
Two offers with the same gross can feel very different once withholdings hit. This guide walks through what usually comes out of a paycheck, then shows the same salary across several states using US5’s calculator.
Gross vs Net in One Minute
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gross | Annual salary before payroll taxes |
| FICA | Social Security + Medicare withheld from wages |
| Federal income tax | Progressive brackets on taxable income |
| State income tax | Extra withholding in most states (some model at $0) |
| Net / take-home | Approximate cash after those withholdings |
US5 focuses on common wage withholdings. It is not a full Form 1040, and it does not model every credit, local tax, 401(k) deferral, or health premium.
What’s Usually Withheld
Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
Most W-2 wages see Social Security and Medicare percentages applied (subject to wage-base rules). On a $100,000 example in our current tables, FICA is about $7,650 ($6,200 Social Security + $1,450 Medicare).
Federal Income Tax
Withholding depends on filing status, taxable income, and Form W-4 elections. Higher gross pay usually means a higher average federal rate—but not a flat “X% of salary” for everyone. In the same $100,000 single-style example, federal income tax is about $13,841 across the states we compare below (state tax is what changes).
State Income Tax
This is where two $100k offers diverge:
- With state tax: California, New York, Illinois, Ohio, and many others
- No broad state wage income tax in the model: Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, and others—always confirm current law
Salary context by state: California · New York · Illinois · Texas · Florida · Washington · Nevada · Tennessee
Worked Example: $100,000 Across Six States
Same gross, US5 take-home estimator, illustrative single assumptions:
| State | Federal | State tax | FICA | Est. take-home | Keep rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $13,841 | $5,438 | $7,650 | $73,071 | ~73.1% |
| New York | $13,841 | $4,952 | $7,650 | $73,557 | ~73.6% |
| Illinois | $13,841 | $4,813 | $7,650 | $73,696 | ~73.7% |
| Ohio | $13,841 | $2,034 | $7,650 | $76,475 | ~76.5% |
| Texas | $13,841 | $0 | $7,650 | $78,509 | ~78.5% |
| Florida | $13,841 | $0 | $7,650 | $78,509 | ~78.5% |
| Washington | $13,841 | $0 | $7,650 | $78,509 | ~78.5% |
That’s roughly a $5,400 gap between California and Texas on the same $100k gross—before you even look at rent.
For a mid-career check, $75,000 gross estimates about $57,809 in California vs $60,922 in Texas and $59,575 in Ohio.
Re-run any number yourself: Take-Home Pay Calculator.
Don’t Stop at Taxes—Check Prices
Texas and Florida can show the same modeled take-home, but Florida’s cost hub and Texas’s cost hub reflect different Regional Price Parities. A simple way to think about it:
- Estimate net pay here.
- Open the state cost of living context (RPP).
- Compare career medians on salary hubs.
| State | Why compare | Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | High wages + state tax + high RPP | CA salary | CA cost |
| Texas | No state income tax | TX salary | TX cost |
| Ohio | Modest state tax + lower RPP | OH salary | OH cost |
| New York | High pay + significant state tax | NY salary | NY cost |
| Washington | No state income tax + tech wages | WA salary | WA cost |
How to Use the US5 Take-Home Tool
- Open Take-Home Pay Calculator.
- Enter gross annual salary and select a state.
- Review estimated federal, FICA, state, and net.
- Paste an OEWS median from a page like software engineer · California to model a realistic offer.
- Cross-check wage floors on minimum wage by state.
FAQ
Is this the same as my paycheck stub?
Close in spirit, not identical. Pay stubs also reflect benefits, garnishments, local taxes, and W-4 elections. US5 is an educational estimate for comparing states and offers.
Why do Texas, Florida, and Washington match in the table?
In the current model they have $0 state income tax on wages, so federal + FICA dominate. Local taxes and other rules can still differ in real life—confirm before you move.
Can I model married filing jointly or dependents?
The public calculator uses simplified assumptions (see the tool’s methodology note). For complex filing situations, use IRS/state worksheets or a tax professional.
How does this relate to minimum wage?
Minimum wage sets an hourly floor; take-home shows what a salary keeps after tax. Use both: minimum wage map and this calculator.
Related Reading
Next Steps
Estimates are educational approximations—not tax, legal, or financial advice. Local taxes, pre-tax benefits, and filing elections can change results. Consult a tax professional for personal decisions.