Washington State Payroll Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your net pay per pay period in Washington State, factoring in federal taxes, Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), and the WA Cares Fund. Please note that this is an estimate and actual withholdings may vary based on specific deductions, additional income, and complex tax situations.
Weekly (52 pay periods)
Bi-Weekly (26 pay periods)
Semi-Monthly (24 pay periods)
Monthly (12 pay periods)
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Note: For federal income tax calculation, this calculator uses a simplified bracket method based on standard deductions, not directly W-4 allowances. This input is for informational purposes.
Understanding Your Washington State Paycheck
Navigating your paycheck can be complex, especially with various federal and state-specific deductions. This guide breaks down the components of your payroll in Washington State, helping you understand where your money goes.
Gross Pay vs. Net Pay
- Gross Pay: This is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions are taken out. It's the amount you earn based on your hourly wage or annual salary.
- Net Pay: This is your "take-home pay" – the amount you receive after all deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay.
Federal Payroll Taxes
Regardless of where you live, federal taxes are a significant portion of your paycheck. These include:
- Federal Income Tax: This is a progressive tax, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.), and the allowances you claim on your W-4 form. This calculator uses a simplified bracket method for estimation.
- Social Security Tax (OASDI): This funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Employees pay 6.2% of their gross wages up to an annual wage base limit ($168,600 for 2024).
- Medicare Tax (HI): This funds hospital insurance for the elderly and disabled. Employees pay 1.45% of all gross wages, with no wage base limit. An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to wages above certain thresholds ($200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married filing jointly).
Washington State Payroll Deductions
Washington State does not have a state income tax, which is a significant benefit for residents. However, there are two key state-mandated deductions:
- Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML): This program provides paid leave for qualifying family or medical reasons. For 2024, the employee contribution rate is 0.58% of gross wages, up to the Social Security wage base limit.
- WA Cares Fund (Long-Term Care): This is a state-run long-term care insurance program. For 2024, the employee contribution rate is 0.58% of gross wages, with no wage cap. Certain individuals may be exempt if they have qualifying private long-term care insurance.
Deductions: Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax
- Pre-Tax Deductions: These are taken out of your gross pay before taxes are calculated. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) or traditional IRA, health insurance premiums, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, lowering your federal income tax liability.
- Post-Tax Deductions: These are taken out of your pay after all applicable taxes have been calculated. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, charitable contributions, or garnishments. These deductions do not reduce your taxable income.
Example Calculation
Let's consider an example for a bi-weekly paid employee in Washington State:
- Gross Pay (Bi-Weekly): $2,000
- Pay Frequency: Bi-Weekly (26 pay periods/year)
- Federal Filing Status: Single
- Pre-Tax Deductions: $100 (e.g., health insurance)
- Post-Tax Deductions: $50 (e.g., Roth 401k)
Annual Gross Pay: $2,000 * 26 = $52,000
Annual Pre-Tax Deductions: $100 * 26 = $2,600
Annual Taxable Gross (for FIT): $52,000 – $2,600 = $49,400
Annual Taxable Income (after standard deduction): $49,400 – $14,600 (Single Standard Deduction) = $34,800
Estimated Annual Federal Income Tax (simplified):
- 10% on $11,600 = $1,160
- 12% on ($34,800 – $11,600) = 12% on $23,200 = $2,784
- Total Annual FIT: $1,160 + $2,784 = $3,944
- Bi-Weekly FIT: $3,944 / 26 = $151.69
Social Security Tax: $2,000 * 0.062 = $124.00
Medicare Tax: $2,000 * 0.0145 = $29.00
WA PFML Tax: $2,000 * 0.0058 = $11.60
WA Cares Fund Tax: $2,000 * 0.0058 = $11.60
Total Taxes: $151.69 + $124.00 + $29.00 + $11.60 + $11.60 = $327.89
Total Deductions (Pre-tax + Post-tax + Taxes): $100 (pre-tax) + $50 (post-tax) + $327.89 (taxes) = $477.89
Net Pay: $2,000 – $477.89 = $1,522.11
This example demonstrates how various deductions are applied to arrive at the final net pay.
Estimated Paycheck Breakdown
Gross Pay per Period: $${grossPay.toFixed(2)} Pre-Tax Deductions: $${preTaxDeductions.toFixed(2)} Taxable Gross (for FIT): $${(grossPay – preTaxDeductions).toFixed(2)}Federal Income Tax: $${federalIncomeTax.toFixed(2)} Social Security Tax: $${socialSecurityTax.toFixed(2)} Medicare Tax: $${(medicareTax + additionalMedicareTax).toFixed(2)} WA PFML Tax: $${waPfmlTax.toFixed(2)} WA Cares Fund Tax: $${waCaresFundTax.toFixed(2)} Total Taxes: $${totalTaxes.toFixed(2)}
Post-Tax Deductions: $${postTaxDeductions.toFixed(2)}
Estimated Net Pay: $${netPay.toFixed(2)} This is an estimate. Actual withholdings may vary. `; }