Paycheck Calculator 2026

Anatomy of a $60,000 paycheck in four states

On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks, the gross check is $2,307.69. What reaches your account depends on the state. For a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026:

Pay frequency changes the check, not the year

Weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly and monthly schedules split the same annual pay and tax into different-sized pieces. Biweekly gives 26 checks, semi-monthly 24, so a semi-monthly check is larger even though the yearly total is identical.

Pre-tax deductions: which taxes they reduce

Money taken out before tax lowers your taxable pay, but not every pre-tax deduction reduces every tax. The calculator treats them the way payroll does:

• Traditional 401(k) or 403(b): reduces federal income tax and, in most states, state income tax. Social Security and Medicare still apply. Limit $24,500 for 2026, plus $8,000 catch-up at age 50 and over.
• Section 125 health, dental and vision premiums: reduce federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, and usually state tax.
• Health savings account through payroll: reduces income tax and payroll tax. 2026 limits are $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, including employer contributions.
• Roth 401(k) contributions and after-tax deductions such as union dues or garnishments come out after tax and don’t lower any tax.

State payroll programs on your pay stub

Beyond income tax, some states require employees to contribute to disability, paid family leave or unemployment insurance. These deductions are calculated on wages up to any cap and appear as separate lines on a pay stub:

• Alaska: Unemployment Insurance (employee share) at 0.50% of wages up to $54,200.
• California: State Disability Insurance (SDI, incl. Paid Family Leave) at 1.30% of all wages.
• Colorado: FAMLI paid family & medical leave (employee share) at 0.44% of wages up to $184,500.
• Connecticut: CT Paid Leave at 0.50% of wages up to $184,500.
• Delaware: Delaware Paid Leave (employee share, up to 50% of 0.8%) at 0.40% of wages up to $184,500.
• Hawaii: Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI, max $7.50/week) at 0.50% of wages up to $78,011.
• Maine: Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave at 0.50% of wages up to $184,500.
• Massachusetts: Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave at 0.46% of wages up to $184,500.
• Minnesota: Minnesota Paid Leave at 0.44% of wages up to $184,500.
• New Jersey: Unemployment + Workforce Development (UI/WF/SWF) at 0.43% of wages up to $44,800; Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) at 0.19% of wages up to $171,100; Family Leave Insurance (FLI) at 0.23% of wages up to $171,100.
• New York: Disability insurance (SDI), 0.5% up to $0.60/week at 0.50% of wages up to $6,240; Paid Family Leave (PFL) at 0.43% of wages up to $95,349.
• Oregon: Paid Leave Oregon (employee share) at 0.60% of wages up to $184,500; Statewide transit tax at 0.10% of all wages.
• Pennsylvania: Unemployment Compensation (employee) at 0.07% of all wages.
• Rhode Island: Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI/TCI) at 1.10% of wages up to $100,000.
• Washington: Paid Family & Medical Leave (employee share) at 0.81% of wages up to $184,500; WA Cares Fund (long-term care) at 0.58% of all wages.

Why your real paycheck may differ

Your employer withholds using your Form W-4 and the per-paycheck tables in IRS Publication 15-T, not an annual calculation. Extra withholding requested on the W-4, a second job, mid-year raises and benefits the calculator doesn’t know about (life insurance, commuter benefits, wage garnishments) all change the actual check. If your withholding looks too high or low, the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator helps you complete a new W-4.