Take-Home Pay Per Hour – What You Actually Earn
Estimating Take-Home Hourly Pay
Your advertised hourly rate is not what you take home. Federal income tax and FICA deductions reduce your actual per-hour earnings. This page shows estimated take-home pay at common hourly rates so you can understand the real value of your paycheck.
Your take-home hourly rate is your gross rate minus all tax withholdings divided by hours worked. For most workers, the combined federal income tax and FICA rate ranges from 15% to 25%, meaning your take-home is typically 75–85% of your gross hourly rate.
The exact percentage depends on your total annual income, filing status, and deductions. Higher earners face higher marginal rates. Use the tax bracket page to find your specific rate.
Estimated Take-Home at Common Hourly Rates
Based on 40 hours/week, single filer, 2025 federal tax + FICA. No state tax included.
| Gross Hourly | Gross Annual | Est. Taxes | Net Annual | Net Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00 | $31,200 | -$4,093 | $27,108 | $13.03 |
| $20.00 | $41,600 | -$6,136 | $35,464 | $17.05 |
| $25.00 | $52,000 | -$8,180 | $43,821 | $21.07 |
| $30.00 | $62,400 | -$10,224 | $52,177 | $25.09 |
| $35.00 | $72,800 | -$13,199 | $59,601 | $28.65 |
| $40.00 | $83,200 | -$16,283 | $66,917 | $32.17 |
| $50.00 | $104,000 | -$22,450 | $81,550 | $39.21 |
Estimates based on 2025 federal tax brackets for a single filer with standard deduction. State taxes not included.
Why Your Paycheck Is Less Than Expected
Every paycheck has mandatory deductions that reduce your take-home. The two largest are federal income tax and FICA. Together, these typically remove 15–25% of gross pay for most workers.
FICA is flat: Everyone pays 7.65% regardless of income (up to the Social Security cap). This alone drops a $25/hr rate to about $23.09 before any income tax.
Federal tax is progressive: Your first ~$11,925 of taxable income (after the $15,000 standard deduction) is taxed at 10%. Income above that is taxed at 12%, then 22%, and so on. Most hourly workers earning $15–$40/hr fall in the 10–12% federal bracket.
Use our hourly to salary calculator to find your gross annual income, then check the tax brackets page for your estimated federal rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take-home pay (net pay) is the amount you actually receive in your paycheck after all taxes and deductions are withheld.
Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and possibly state/local taxes are deducted from every paycheck.
For most workers, 15–25% goes to combined federal and FICA taxes. State taxes can add another 0–13% depending on where you live.
Contribute to pre-tax accounts (401k, HSA), claim eligible deductions and credits, and review your W-4 withholding allowances.
These are estimates based on federal tax and FICA only. Your actual take-home depends on state taxes, deductions, credits, and withholding elections.