Guide
Take-home pay estimate
Take-home pay is what lands in your account after taxes and deductions. Our salary calculator approximates net pay from gross salary, tax percent, and optional deductions—useful for job offers and freelance planning, not payroll compliance.
Gross vs net
Gross is pre-tax compensation. Net subtracts income tax, Social Security/Medicare (US), benefits, and retirement contributions. Hourly workers can convert wage × hours to annual gross first.
Adjusting tax percent
W-2 employees might use 22–32% as a rough planning band depending on state and bracket—tune to last year’s effective rate. Self-employed workers should budget extra for self-employment tax and quarterly payments.
Pair with housing math
A common rule is housing under 28–30% of gross income—some planners use net for stricter budgets. Compare take-home results with mortgage estimates before you increase rent or home price targets.
FAQ
Is this an official payroll calculation?
No. Real payroll uses filing status, pre-tax benefits, and local taxes. Use this for ballpark planning only.
How do bonuses affect take-home?
Bonuses may be withheld at supplemental rates. Actual tax owed is reconciled on annual returns—set aside cash if withholding seems low.
Can I calculate hourly take-home?
Yes—use hourly mode on the salary tool to derive annual gross, then return here for net estimates.
Should freelancers use this?
Freelancers can estimate, but should also budget for taxes, insurance, and unpaid time off separately from employee assumptions.