Gross Pay Calculator · 2026
What salary do I need to take home $X per paycheck?
Enter your desired net pay and we'll calculate the exact gross salary required — after federal taxes, state taxes, FICA, and deductions — using 2026 IRS rates.
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The net amount you want deposited each pay period
Enter your desired take-home pay above to see the required gross salary.
Common Questions
What is gross pay vs. net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions. Net pay — also called take-home pay — is what's left after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any pre-tax deductions like a 401(k) or health insurance are subtracted.
How does this calculator work backwards from net pay?
The calculator uses an iterative solver (binary search) to find the gross salary that produces exactly your desired net pay after applying 2026 federal and state tax rates, FICA, and any deductions you entered. It converges to within a cent of your target.
Why does state matter so much?
State income tax rates vary from 0% (Texas, Florida, Nevada) to over 13% (California). Two people with the same gross salary in different states can have very different take-home pay. Always include your state for an accurate result.
Does adding a 401(k) change the required gross?
Yes — pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income, so your employer withholds less in federal and state income tax. This means you need a slightly lower gross salary to achieve the same net pay compared to someone with no 401(k) contribution.
I have a job offer — how do I use this?
Enter the take-home amount you need to cover your monthly expenses, set the pay frequency to monthly, and select the state where you'll be working. The result tells you the minimum gross annual salary to negotiate for.