Hourly Paycheck Calculator

An hourly paycheck reflects the gap between what you earn and what you take home. Your gross pay is simply your hourly wage multiplied by the hours you work in a pay period, but the amount that actually reaches your bank account is smaller, because taxes and payroll deductions come out first. Understanding the breakdown helps you budget accurately and judge whether a raise, a new job or extra hours is worth what it seems.

The biggest deductions are taxes. Federal income tax in the US is progressive, applied to your annualized earnings across brackets after the standard deduction, so only income above each threshold is taxed at the higher rate. State income tax varies widely — some states levy none, while others reach into the high single digits or beyond — which is why the same wage yields different take-home pay depending on where you live. On top of income tax, FICA payroll taxes take 7.65% (6.2% for Social Security up to an annual cap, plus 1.45% for Medicare).

For hourly workers, a few factors complicate the picture. Hours can vary week to week, so income isn't as predictable as a fixed salary. Overtime — typically 1.5× your regular rate for hours beyond 40 in a week in the US — can meaningfully boost gross pay, though it's taxed the same as regular income (a common myth is that overtime is taxed at a higher rate; only your marginal bracket applies). Pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions or health insurance premiums reduce taxable income and your take-home, but build savings or provide benefits.

Converting between pay views is useful too. Multiplying your hourly rate by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks) gives a rough full-time annual equivalent, handy for comparing an hourly role with a salaried offer. Just remember that part-time hours, unpaid time off or seasonal work change that math.

This calculator estimates your net hourly paycheck using 2026 federal brackets and a state rate you provide. It's a close guide for planning, but your actual withholding depends on your full tax situation, allowances and any additional deductions, so treat the result as an informed estimate rather than exact payroll output.