Hourly Paycheck Calculator

How to use the hourly paycheck calculator

1. Enter your hourly rate. Use your base pay before taxes, for example $18.50.
2. Enter your regular hours. Most full-time jobs are 40 hours a week.
3. Add overtime hours. Federal law requires at least 1.5× your regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek for most hourly workers.
4. Choose your pay frequency and filing status.
5. Select your state to include state and local income tax.
6. See your results: take-home pay per paycheck, per year, and how much of each hour you actually keep.

How hourly pay is calculated

Gross pay

Gross weekly pay = (hourly rate × regular hours) + (hourly rate × 1.5 × overtime hours)

Example: $20/hour × 40 hours = $800, plus 5 overtime hours × $30 = $150. Weekly gross: $950.

To find yearly gross pay, multiply weekly gross by 52. A full-time worker (40 hours × 52 weeks) works 2,080 hours a year.

Taxes taken from your pay (2026)

2026 federal brackets (single): 10% up to $12,400 · 12% to $50,400 · 22% to $105,700 · 24% to $201,775 · 32% to $256,225 · 35% to $640,600 · 37% above.

The calculator turns your weekly pay into a yearly amount, works out the yearly tax, and divides it back into each paycheck. Payroll systems use a similar method (IRS Publication 15-T).

Worked example: $25 an hour, 40 hours a week

A single worker earns $25 an hour, works 40 hours a week, is paid weekly, and lives in a state with no income tax.

1. Yearly gross: $25 × 40 × 52 = $52,000
2. Taxable income: $52,000 − $16,100 = $35,900
3. Federal tax: 10% × $12,400 = $1,240, plus 12% × ($35,900 − $12,400) = 12% × $23,500 = $2,820. Total: $4,060
4. Social Security: 6.2% × $52,000 = $3,224
5. Medicare: 1.45% × $52,000 = $754

So $25 an hour is about $21.14 an hour after taxes ($43,962 ÷ 2,080 hours) in a state with no income tax. In a state with income tax, take-home pay will be lower.

Hourly wage after taxes: quick table (2026)

Single filer, 40 hours a week, 52 weeks, no state income tax, no deductions:

Choose your state in the calculator to include state tax.

Overtime and your paycheck

Overtime is paid at 1.5× your regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states have stricter rules (for example, daily overtime). Overtime is taxed like normal wages on your paycheck. Under the 2025 tax law, though, eligible workers can deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 for married couples filing jointly) of the extra "half" part of overtime pay on their federal tax return for tax years 2025–2028. Social Security and Medicare still apply. Estimate your savings with the overtime tax calculator.

Tips to take home more per hour

• Track your hours. Make sure every overtime hour is paid. Use our overtime calculator to check your pay stub.
• Update your W-4 if you work a second job, so you don't owe tax in April.
• Use pre-tax benefits like a 401(k) or HSA to lower your taxable income.
• Keep tip records. Qualified tips may be deductible up to $25,000 (2025–2028).

Sources

• IRS: 2026 tax brackets and standard deduction (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
• IRS Publication 15-T (withholding methods)
• Social Security Administration: 2026 wage base ($184,500)
• U.S. Department of Labor: overtime under the FLSA; federal minimum wage $7.25
• IRS guidance on the overtime and tips deductions (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025)