Free Hourly Paycheck Calculator

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Hourly Paycheck Calculator

Weekly (52 paychecks/year) Bi-Weekly (26 paychecks/year) Semi-Monthly (24 paychecks/year) Monthly (12 paychecks/year)

Your Estimated Paycheck

Gross Pay per Pay Period:

Total Deductions per Pay Period:

Net Pay per Pay Period:

function calculatePaycheck() { var hourlyWage = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hourlyWage').value); var hoursPerWeek = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hoursPerWeek').value); var payFrequency = document.getElementById('payFrequency').value; var federalTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('federalTaxRate').value); var stateTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('stateTaxRate').value); var otherDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('otherDeductions').value); // Validate inputs if (isNaN(hourlyWage) || hourlyWage < 0 || isNaN(hoursPerWeek) || hoursPerWeek < 0 || isNaN(federalTaxRate) || federalTaxRate 100 || isNaN(stateTaxRate) || stateTaxRate 100 || isNaN(otherDeductions) || otherDeductions < 0) { alert('Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields. Tax rates should be between 0 and 100.'); document.getElementById('paycheckResult').style.display = 'none'; return; } var annualGrossPay = hourlyWage * hoursPerWeek * 52; var grossPayPerPeriod; var paychecksPerYear; switch (payFrequency) { case 'weekly': paychecksPerYear = 52; break; case 'bi-weekly': paychecksPerYear = 26; break; case 'semi-monthly': paychecksPerYear = 24; break; case 'monthly': paychecksPerYear = 12; break; default: paychecksPerYear = 26; // Default to bi-weekly } grossPayPerPeriod = annualGrossPay / paychecksPerYear; // Standard deductions (percentages) var socialSecurityRate = 0.062; // 6.2% var medicareRate = 0.0145; // 1.45% // Calculate taxes var federalTaxAmount = grossPayPerPeriod * (federalTaxRate / 100); var stateTaxAmount = grossPayPerPeriod * (stateTaxRate / 100); var socialSecurityTax = grossPayPerPeriod * socialSecurityRate; var medicareTax = grossPayPerPeriod * medicareRate; // Total deductions var totalDeductions = federalTaxAmount + stateTaxAmount + socialSecurityTax + medicareTax + otherDeductions; // Net pay var netPayPerPeriod = grossPayPerPeriod – totalDeductions; // Display results document.getElementById('grossPayResult').innerText = '$' + grossPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('totalDeductionsResult').innerText = '$' + totalDeductions.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('netPayResult').innerText = '$' + netPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('paycheckResult').style.display = 'block'; }

Understanding Your Hourly Paycheck

An hourly paycheck calculator is an essential tool for anyone paid by the hour. It helps you estimate your take-home pay after various deductions, providing a clearer picture of your financial standing. Understanding how your gross pay transforms into net pay is crucial for budgeting, financial planning, and ensuring your paycheck is accurate.

How It Works: From Gross to Net

Your paycheck starts with your gross pay, which is the total amount you earn before any deductions. For hourly employees, this is calculated by multiplying your hourly wage by the number of hours you work in a given pay period.

However, the money that actually lands in your bank account, known as your net pay or take-home pay, is often significantly less than your gross pay. This is because various taxes and other deductions are withheld from your earnings.

Common Paycheck Deductions Explained

Here are the typical deductions you'll see on your pay stub:

  • Federal Income Tax: This is money withheld by the U.S. government to fund federal programs. The amount depends on your income, filing status, and the allowances you claim on your W-4 form. Our calculator uses a percentage for simplicity, but actual withholding can be more complex.
  • State Income Tax: Similar to federal tax, but collected by your state government. Not all states have income tax, so this deduction may not apply to everyone.
  • Social Security Tax: This is part of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax. It funds benefits for retirees, the disabled, and survivors. As of 2024, the employee contribution rate is 6.2% of your gross wages, up to an annual wage base limit.
  • Medicare Tax: Also part of FICA, this tax funds health insurance for individuals aged 65 or older, and certain younger people with disabilities. The employee contribution rate is 1.45% of all gross wages, with no wage base limit.
  • Other Deductions: This category includes a variety of pre-tax or post-tax deductions such as health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, union dues, or other benefits.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter Your Hourly Wage: Input your agreed-upon hourly rate.
  2. Input Hours Worked per Week: Enter the average number of hours you work in a typical week.
  3. Select Your Pay Frequency: Choose how often you get paid (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).
  4. Estimate Tax Withholding Percentages: Provide an estimated percentage for Federal and State income tax. If you're unsure, you can use a general estimate or refer to a previous pay stub.
  5. Add Other Deductions: Include any fixed deductions per pay period, such as health insurance costs or 401(k) contributions.
  6. Click "Calculate Paycheck": The calculator will instantly display your estimated gross pay, total deductions, and net pay for your chosen pay period.

Example Calculation

Let's say you earn $25 per hour and work 40 hours per week. You get paid bi-weekly, and your estimated federal tax is 12%, state tax is 4%, with an additional $50 in other deductions per pay period.

  • Weekly Gross Pay: $25/hour * 40 hours = $1,000
  • Bi-Weekly Gross Pay: $1,000/week * 2 weeks = $2,000
  • Federal Tax: $2,000 * 12% = $240
  • State Tax: $2,000 * 4% = $80
  • Social Security Tax: $2,000 * 6.2% = $124
  • Medicare Tax: $2,000 * 1.45% = $29
  • Other Deductions: $50
  • Total Deductions: $240 + $80 + $124 + $29 + $50 = $523
  • Net Pay: $2,000 – $523 = $1,477

This calculator provides a helpful estimate. For precise figures, always refer to your official pay stubs or consult with a financial advisor or your HR department, as tax laws and individual withholding can vary.

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