Gross Pay is the total amount of money you earn before any deductions are taken out. Net Pay, often called "take-home pay," is the amount you receive after all deductions—like taxes, insurance premiums, and retirement contributions—have been subtracted from your gross pay.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than time and one-half their regular rates of pay. Our calculator uses a standard 1.5x rate, but you can adjust this if your employer uses a different rate.

FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It's a U.S. federal payroll tax deducted from each paycheck. It consists of two separate taxes:
• Social Security: 6.2% on earnings up to an annual limit ($168,600 in 2024).
• Medicare: 1.45% on all earnings. High earners may be subject to an additional Medicare tax.

Your federal filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.) determines your standard deduction and the tax brackets used to calculate your federal income tax withholding. A different status can significantly change the amount of tax withheld, which directly impacts your take-home pay.

Pre-tax deductions are taken from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. This lowers your taxable income, potentially reducing the amount of tax you owe. Common examples include 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums.

Post-tax deductions are taken out after all taxes have been calculated and withheld. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions and wage garnishments.

This calculator provides a detailed estimation of your net pay for illustrative purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Actual net pay can be affected by numerous factors not accounted for here, including state and local taxes, specific company benefits, and complex W-4 elections. Always refer to your official pay stub for exact figures.