Master Your Paycheck

Why Use a Salary Calculator in 2026?

Understanding your true earning potential goes beyond just knowing your annual salary. With changes in the 2026 tax brackets and varying state income tax laws, your "take-home pay" can look very different depending on where you live and how you file.

PayPilot provides a suite of tools designed to help you navigate these complexities. Whether you are comparing job offers in different states, planning for a raise, or converting your hourly wage to a salary, our calculators give you the precise numbers you need.

Gross vs. Net Pay Comparison

The difference between your gross salary and what actually hits your bank account can be shocking. Here is a breakdown of where the money goes for a typical earner:

How Take-Home Pay Works in the USA

Your paycheck is subject to several layers of taxation. The most significant is the Federal Income Tax, which uses a progressive bracket system. This means you pay higher rates only on the income that falls into higher brackets, not on your entire salary.

Next is FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act), which funds Social Security and Medicare. Regardless of where you live in the US, you will typically see 6.2% deducted for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare.

Federal vs. State Taxes

While federal taxes are uniform across the country, state taxes vary wildly. Some states, like California and New York, have high state income tax rates. Others, like Texas and Florida, have zero state income tax on wages.

Use our State Tax Calculators to see how moving across state lines could impact your bottom line.

Hourly vs. Salary: Which is Better?

Many workers transition between hourly and salaried roles. While a salary offers stability, hourly roles often come withovertime pay opportunities. Use our Hourly to Salary Converter to compare apples to apples.