Using the Washington Paycheck Calculator
Understanding your take-home pay in the Evergreen State is unique because Washington is one of the few states in the U.S. that does not impose a state income tax. However, Washington employees are subject to specific state-level payroll deductions like the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) and the WA Cares Fund. This washington paycheck calculator helps you estimate your net pay after federal taxes and state-specific premiums are deducted.
- Gross Pay per Period
- Enter the total amount earned before any taxes or deductions. For example, if you earn $65,000 a year and are paid bi-weekly, your gross pay per period is $2,500.
- Filing Status
- Choose between Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household. This determines your federal standard deduction and tax brackets.
- WA Cares Fund
- A mandatory long-term care insurance program for most WA workers. The rate is 0.58% of gross wages with no cap, unless you have an approved exemption.
How It Works: Washington Payroll Math
Your net pay is calculated by taking your gross income and subtracting federal obligations and Washington-specific premiums. Since there is no state income tax, the focus is on federal withholding and the two major state premiums. The basic formula is:
Net Pay = Gross Pay – Federal Income Tax – FICA – WA PFML – WA Cares – Pre-tax Deductions
- Federal Income Tax: Calculated based on the 2024 IRS tax brackets and your filing status.
- FICA: Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Note that Social Security is capped at $168,600 in earnings for 2024.
- WA PFML: For 2024, the total premium is 0.74%. Employees typically pay roughly 71.43% of the medical portion and 100% of the family portion, totaling approximately 0.529% for most workers.
- WA Cares: A flat 0.58% deduction from gross wages to fund state long-term care benefits.
Washington Paycheck Example
Example: A single employee in Seattle earning $3,000 bi-weekly with no pre-tax deductions and no WA Cares exemption.
Step-by-step estimate:
- Gross Pay: $3,000.00
- Federal Tax (Est): ~$325.00 (Based on annual $78,000 income)
- Social Security (6.2%): $186.00
- Medicare (1.45%): $43.50
- WA PFML (0.529%): $15.87
- WA Cares (0.58%): $17.40
- Calculation: $3,000 – $325 – $186 – $43.50 – $15.87 – $17.40
- Resulting Net Pay: ~$2,412.23
Common Questions
Does Washington have a state income tax?
No. Washington is one of nine states that does not have a general personal income tax. However, the state does have a Capital Gains tax for high earners, but this is not typically withheld from standard payroll checks.
What is the WA Cares Fund?
The WA Cares Fund is a mandatory long-term care insurance program. Employees contribute 0.58% of their wages to the fund, which provides a lifetime benefit of up to $36,500 (adjusted for inflation) to help pay for long-term care services when needed.
How does Washington's Paid Leave deduction work?
The Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program is funded by premiums paid by both employees and employers. As of 2024, the total rate is 0.74% of gross wages, with the employee paying about 0.53% and the employer paying the remainder.