Home / Guides / Paycheck calculator
Hourly paycheck calculator
Enter your hourly rate, hours and overtime for one pay period. The calculator adds any shift differential, then takes off Social Security, Medicare, an estimate of federal income tax with the 2026 IRS brackets and, if you enter one, a state tax rate.
By Asier Fernández ·
What comes out of a paycheck
| Deduction | 2026 rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 a year | SSA |
| Medicare | 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% withheld on wages over $200,000 | IRS Topic 751 |
| Federal income tax | 10% to 37% after the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly) | IRS |
| State and local tax | Depends on the state; some, such as Texas and Florida, have no income tax on wages | Your state |
The federal income tax here is an estimate: the calculator annualizes your gross pay, takes off the standard deduction and applies the 2026 brackets. Your real withholding follows your Form W-4 and the IRS tables, and credits such as the child tax credit lower it further. Use it to plan, not to file.
Overtime and shift differential
Overtime here is paid at time and a half for every hour you enter as overtime. Federal law requires it after 40 hours in a workweek, so a two-week pay period of 84 hours on a 12-hour rotation can carry anything from 0 to 8 or more overtime hours depending on how the shifts fall in each week. A differential raises your regular rate, which raises the overtime rate too (29 CFR 778.207(b)). To see every paycheck of the year on your own rotation, use the shift pay calculator or the pay option in the shift calendar.
The overtime deduction
From 2025 to 2028 you can deduct the extra half of qualified overtime pay (the part above your regular rate) when you file: up to $12,500 a year, or $25,000 filing jointly, phased out above $150,000 of modified adjusted gross income ($300,000 jointly). You need a valid Social Security number and married couples must file jointly (IRS). It does not reduce Social Security or Medicare. Choose “Yes” above to see its effect on the yearly tax spread over each paycheck; your employer's withholding may not include it.
More guides
Figures are worked out from each cycle; rules checked against official sources on . How we calculate
Questions
How much is taken out of a paycheck in 2026?
Social Security is 6.2% (up to $184,500 of wages), Medicare 1.45%, plus federal income tax that depends on your income and W-4, and state tax where it applies. For many hourly workers the total is roughly 15% to 25% of gross pay.
How do I calculate my paycheck from my hourly rate?
Multiply your rate by your regular hours, add overtime hours at 1.5 times the rate and any differential, then subtract Social Security, Medicare and income taxes.
Is overtime taxed more?
No. Overtime is added to your pay and taxed at the same rates. It can push the paycheck into a higher withholding bracket, but the tax is settled on your yearly income when you file.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household (IRS).
Does the no tax on overtime deduction lower my paycheck taxes?
It is claimed on your tax return (Schedule 1-A), for the overtime premium only, up to $12,500 or $25,000 jointly. It does not reduce Social Security or Medicare tax.