Calculate My Paycheck: Gross Pay, Taxes, and Take-Home Pay
Learn how to calculate your paycheck from hourly wages or salary, pay frequency, taxes, deductions, overtime, and take-home pay.
Searching calculate my paycheck means you want to estimate take-home pay. Your paycheck starts with gross pay, then subtracts taxes and deductions.
Use our Paycheck Calculator for a quick estimate.
Gross Pay for Hourly Workers
Gross pay = Hourly rate x Hours worked
Example:
$20/hour x 40 hours = $800 gross pay
If overtime applies, calculate overtime separately using the overtime rate.
Gross Pay for Salary Workers
Gross paycheck = Annual salary / Number of pay periods
Example:
$60,000 salary paid twice per month:
$60,000 / 24 = $2,500 gross pay
Common Pay Frequencies
| Pay Frequency | Paychecks per Year |
|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 |
| Biweekly | 26 |
| Semimonthly | 24 |
| Monthly | 12 |
What Gets Subtracted?
Paychecks can include deductions for:
- Federal income tax
- State income tax
- Local tax
- Social Security
- Medicare
- Health insurance
- Retirement contributions
- Other benefits or garnishments
Your actual withholding depends on location, filing status, income, benefits, and payroll settings.
Gross Pay vs Net Pay
Gross pay is what you earn before deductions. Net pay is what you actually receive.
Net pay = Gross pay - Taxes - Deductions
The Bottom Line
To calculate your paycheck, start with gross pay, subtract taxes and deductions, and check the pay frequency. For a faster estimate, use the Paycheck Calculator.
How to Calculate: Step-by-Step Guide
Calculate gross pay
Use hourly wage times hours worked, or divide annual salary by pay periods.
Subtract taxes
Estimate federal, state, local, Social Security, and Medicare withholding where applicable.
Subtract deductions
Account for benefits, retirement contributions, insurance, and other payroll deductions.