How to Calculate My Pay

Paycheck Estimator

Use this calculator to estimate your gross and net pay based on your hourly rate or salary, and common deductions.

Hourly Weekly Salary Bi-Weekly Salary Monthly Salary Annual Salary
function togglePayInputs() { var payFrequency = document.getElementById("payFrequency").value; var hourlyInputs = document.getElementById("hourlyInputs"); var salaryInputs = document.getElementById("salaryInputs"); var grossAmountLabel = document.getElementById("grossAmountLabel"); var grossAmountInput = document.getElementById("grossAmount"); if (payFrequency === "hourly") { hourlyInputs.style.display = "block"; salaryInputs.style.display = "none"; } else { hourlyInputs.style.display = "none"; salaryInputs.style.display = "block"; if (payFrequency === "weekly") { grossAmountLabel.textContent = "Weekly Gross Salary:"; grossAmountInput.value = "800"; // Default for 40 hours at $20/hr } else if (payFrequency === "biweekly") { grossAmountLabel.textContent = "Bi-Weekly Gross Salary:"; grossAmountInput.value = "1600"; // Default for 2 weeks } else if (payFrequency === "monthly") { grossAmountLabel.textContent = "Monthly Gross Salary:"; grossAmountInput.value = "3466.67"; // Default for (800*52/12) } else if (payFrequency === "annually") { grossAmountLabel.textContent = "Annual Gross Salary:"; grossAmountInput.value = "41600"; // Default for (800*52) } } } function calculatePay() { var payFrequency = document.getElementById("payFrequency").value; var hourlyRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hourlyRate").value); var hoursPerWeek = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hoursPerWeek").value); var overtimeRateMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById("overtimeRateMultiplier").value); var overtimeHoursPerWeek = parseFloat(document.getElementById("overtimeHoursPerWeek").value); var grossAmount = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossAmount").value); var totalDeductionsPercentage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("totalDeductionsPercentage").value); var fixedDeductionsPerPayPeriod = parseFloat(document.getElementById("fixedDeductionsPerPayPeriod").value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result"); resultDiv.innerHTML = ""; // Clear previous results // Input validation for common fields if (isNaN(totalDeductionsPercentage) || totalDeductionsPercentage 100) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Total Deductions Percentage (0-100)."; return; } if (isNaN(fixedDeductionsPerPayPeriod) || fixedDeductionsPerPayPeriod < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Fixed Deductions amount (non-negative)."; return; } var grossAnnualPay = 0; var payPeriodsPerYear = 0; if (payFrequency === "hourly") { if (isNaN(hourlyRate) || hourlyRate < 0 || isNaN(hoursPerWeek) || hoursPerWeek < 0 || isNaN(overtimeRateMultiplier) || overtimeRateMultiplier < 0 || isNaN(overtimeHoursPerWeek) || overtimeHoursPerWeek < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid numbers for all hourly pay inputs (non-negative)."; return; } var standardWeeklyGross = hourlyRate * hoursPerWeek; var overtimeWeeklyGross = hourlyRate * overtimeRateMultiplier * overtimeHoursPerWeek; var totalWeeklyGross = standardWeeklyGross + overtimeWeeklyGross; grossAnnualPay = totalWeeklyGross * 52; payPeriodsPerYear = 52; // For fixed deductions } else { if (isNaN(grossAmount) || grossAmount < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Gross Salary amount (non-negative)."; return; } if (payFrequency === "weekly") { grossAnnualPay = grossAmount * 52; payPeriodsPerYear = 52; } else if (payFrequency === "biweekly") { grossAnnualPay = grossAmount * 26; payPeriodsPerYear = 26; } else if (payFrequency === "monthly") { grossAnnualPay = grossAmount * 12; payPeriodsPerYear = 12; } else if (payFrequency === "annually") { grossAnnualPay = grossAmount; payPeriodsPerYear = 1; // Fixed deductions are assumed to be annual if pay is annual } } var percentageDeductionsAnnual = grossAnnualPay * (totalDeductionsPercentage / 100); var fixedDeductionsAnnual = fixedDeductionsPerPayPeriod * payPeriodsPerYear; var totalAnnualDeductions = percentageDeductionsAnnual + fixedDeductionsAnnual; var netAnnualPay = grossAnnualPay – totalAnnualDeductions; // Calculate monthly and weekly figures var grossMonthlyPay = grossAnnualPay / 12; var grossWeeklyPay = grossAnnualPay / 52; var totalMonthlyDeductions = totalAnnualDeductions / 12; var totalWeeklyDeductions = totalAnnualDeductions / 52; var netMonthlyPay = netAnnualPay / 12; var netWeeklyPay = netAnnualPay / 52; var resultsHtml = "

Your Estimated Pay:

"; resultsHtml += "Gross Annual Pay: $" + grossAnnualPay.toFixed(2) + ""; resultsHtml += "Gross Monthly Pay: $" + grossMonthlyPay.toFixed(2) + ""; resultsHtml += "Gross Weekly Pay: $" + grossWeeklyPay.toFixed(2) + ""; resultsHtml += "Total Annual Deductions: $" + totalAnnualDeductions.toFixed(2) + ""; resultsHtml += "Total Monthly Deductions: $" + totalMonthlyDeductions.toFixed(2) + ""; resultsHtml += "Total Weekly Deductions: $" + totalWeeklyDeductions.toFixed(2) + ""; resultsHtml += "Net Annual Pay: $" + netAnnualPay.toFixed(2) + ""; resultsHtml += "Net Monthly Pay: $" + netMonthlyPay.toFixed(2) + ""; resultsHtml += "Net Weekly Pay: $" + netWeeklyPay.toFixed(2) + ""; resultDiv.innerHTML = resultsHtml; } // Initialize the correct inputs on page load window.onload = togglePayInputs; .calculator-container { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 25px; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 600px; margin: 30px auto; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } .calculator-container h2 { text-align: center; color: #333; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 26px; } .calculator-container p { text-align: center; color: #555; margin-bottom: 25px; line-height: 1.6; } .calc-input-group { margin-bottom: 18px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; } .calc-input-group label { margin-bottom: 8px; color: #333; font-weight: bold; font-size: 15px; } .calc-input-group input[type="number"], .calc-input-group select { padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 16px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; transition: border-color 0.3s ease; } .calc-input-group input[type="number"]:focus, .calc-input-group select:focus { border-color: #007bff; outline: none; box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.25); } button { background-color: #007bff; color: white; padding: 14px 25px; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 18px; cursor: pointer; display: block; width: 100%; margin-top: 25px; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease; } button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; transform: translateY(-2px); } #result { margin-top: 30px; padding: 20px; background-color: #e9f7ff; border: 1px solid #cce5ff; border-radius: 8px; font-size: 16px; color: #333; } #result h3 { color: #0056b3; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 15px; font-size: 22px; text-align: center; } #result p { margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5; color: #444; } #result p strong { color: #003c80; } @media (max-width: 768px) { .calculator-container { padding: 20px; margin: 20px auto; } button { padding: 12px 20px; font-size: 16px; } }

Understanding Your Paycheck: Gross vs. Net Pay

For many, understanding the difference between gross pay and net pay can be confusing. You see a large number as your "salary" or "hourly rate," but the amount that actually hits your bank account is often significantly less. This guide and calculator will help you demystify your paycheck, breaking down how your gross earnings are calculated and what deductions lead to your final net pay.

What is Gross Pay?

Gross pay is the total amount of money you earn before any deductions are taken out. It's your raw earnings from your employer. How it's calculated depends on whether you're paid hourly or on a salary basis.

Hourly Pay Calculation:

If you're paid hourly, your gross pay is typically calculated by multiplying your hourly rate by the number of hours you worked. Overtime hours are usually paid at a higher rate (e.g., 1.5 times your regular rate, known as "time and a half").

  • Standard Hours: Hourly Rate × Standard Hours Worked
  • Overtime Hours: Hourly Rate × Overtime Multiplier × Overtime Hours Worked
  • Total Gross Pay (Hourly): (Standard Hours Pay) + (Overtime Hours Pay)

Example: If you earn $25 per hour, work 40 standard hours, and 5 overtime hours at time and a half (1.5x), your weekly gross pay would be:

  • Standard Pay: $25/hour × 40 hours = $1,000
  • Overtime Pay: $25/hour × 1.5 × 5 hours = $187.50
  • Total Weekly Gross Pay: $1,000 + $187.50 = $1,187.50

Salary Pay Calculation:

If you're salaried, you receive a fixed amount of pay over a specific period (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or annually), regardless of the exact number of hours worked (as long as you meet your job's requirements). Your annual salary is simply divided by the number of pay periods in a year to determine your gross pay per period.

  • Weekly Salary: Annual Salary / 52
  • Bi-Weekly Salary: Annual Salary / 26
  • Monthly Salary: Annual Salary / 12

Example: If your annual salary is $60,000:

  • Weekly Gross Pay: $60,000 / 52 = $1,153.85
  • Bi-Weekly Gross Pay: $60,000 / 26 = $2,307.69
  • Monthly Gross Pay: $60,000 / 12 = $5,000.00

What are Deductions?

Deductions are amounts subtracted from your gross pay. These can be mandatory (required by law) or voluntary (chosen by you). The calculator simplifies these into a total percentage and a fixed amount per pay period for ease of estimation.

Common Types of Deductions:

  • Mandatory Deductions:
    • Federal Income Tax: Withheld based on your W-4 form and tax bracket.
    • State Income Tax: Applicable in most states, varies by state and income.
    • FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare): These are federal taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare programs.
  • Voluntary Deductions:
    • Health Insurance Premiums: Your share of the cost for health, dental, or vision insurance.
    • Retirement Contributions: Contributions to a 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement plans.
    • Life Insurance/Disability Insurance: Premiums for these benefits.
    • Union Dues: If you are part of a union.
    • Garnishments: Court-ordered deductions for debts like child support or student loans.

The "Total Deductions Percentage" in the calculator is an estimate for all percentage-based deductions (like taxes and percentage-based retirement contributions). The "Fixed Deductions Per Pay Period" covers fixed amounts like health insurance premiums.

What is Net Pay?

Net pay, often called "take-home pay," is the amount of money you receive after all deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. This is the actual money that gets deposited into your bank account or paid to you via check.

Net Pay = Gross Pay – Total Deductions

How to Use the Paycheck Estimator

  1. Select Your Pay Frequency: Choose whether you are paid hourly, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or annually from the dropdown.
  2. Enter Gross Pay Details:
    • If "Hourly" is selected, enter your hourly rate, standard hours per week, overtime multiplier, and any overtime hours.
    • If a "Salary" option is selected, enter your gross salary for that specific pay period (e.g., your weekly salary if you chose "Weekly Salary").
  3. Enter Deductions:
    • Total Deductions Percentage: Estimate the total percentage of your gross pay that goes towards taxes, retirement, etc. A common range might be 20-35%, but this varies greatly by income, state, and individual choices.
    • Fixed Deductions Per Pay Period: Enter any fixed dollar amounts deducted from each paycheck, such as a health insurance premium.
  4. Calculate: Click the "Calculate My Pay" button to see your estimated gross and net pay figures for annual, monthly, and weekly periods.

Example Calculation with the Estimator:

Let's say you are paid bi-weekly with an annual salary of $55,000. You estimate your total percentage deductions (taxes, 401k) to be 28%, and you have a fixed health insurance premium of $120 deducted from each bi-weekly paycheck.

  • Pay Frequency: Bi-Weekly Salary
  • Bi-Weekly Gross Salary: $55,000 / 26 = $2,115.38
  • Total Deductions Percentage: 28%
  • Fixed Deductions Per Pay Period: $120

The calculator would then show:

  • Gross Annual Pay: $55,000.00
  • Gross Monthly Pay: $4,583.33
  • Gross Weekly Pay: $1,057.69
  • Total Annual Deductions: ($55,000 * 0.28) + ($120 * 26) = $15,400 + $3,120 = $18,520.00
  • Total Monthly Deductions: $1,543.33
  • Total Weekly Deductions: $356.15
  • Net Annual Pay: $36,480.00
  • Net Monthly Pay: $3,040.00
  • Net Weekly Pay: $701.54

Important Disclaimer:

This calculator provides an estimate of your pay. Actual deductions can be complex and vary based on numerous factors including your specific tax situation, state and local tax laws, pre-tax vs. post-tax deductions, and employer-specific benefits. Always refer to your official pay stubs for exact figures.

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