Washington Paycheck Calculator

Updated for 2026 tax year · figures checked on November 3, 2026

Washington has no state income tax, but two state premiums come out of most paychecks: Paid Family and Medical Leave and the WA Cares long-term care fund. This Washington paycheck calculator, also a WA salary and take-home pay calculator, includes both alongside federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.

On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks, a single filer's gross paycheck of $2,307.69 becomes about $1,906.06 after those deductions, or $49,558 for the year.

Take-home pay per bi-weekly paycheck

$1,906.06

$49,557.56 a year from $59,999.94 gross pay (26 paychecks)

Take-home 82.6%
Federal income tax 8.4%
Social Security 6.2%
Medicare 1.4%
WA Paid Family and Medical Leave 0.8%
WA Cares Fund (long-term care) 0.6%

Paycheck breakdown per paycheck and per year in Washington
Item	Per paycheck	Per year
Gross pay	$2,307.69	$59,999.94
Federal income tax	−$193.08	−$5,020.08
Social Security	−$143.08	−$3,720.08
Medicare	−$33.46	−$869.96
State income tax	$0.00	$0.00
WA Paid Family and Medical Leave	−$18.63	−$484.38
WA Cares Fund (long-term care)	−$13.38	−$347.88
Take-home pay	$1,906.06	$49,557.56

How we calculated this

Estimates for informational purposes only, based on 2026 withholding rules. Your actual paycheck may differ. This is not tax advice. Report an issue

Washington salary calculator: what your result means

Your result shows take-home pay per paycheck. The state income tax line is zero, but you'll see two state lines below it: WA Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares Fund. In the $60,000 example they take 1.4% of gross pay.

For the $60,000 example, federal income tax withholding is about 8.4% of gross pay and Social Security plus Medicare are 7.7%. At $100,000 a year, take-home pay is roughly $2,992.03 per bi-weekly check, or $77,793 a year.

The Paid Leave figure is the most your employer may withhold. Some employers pay part or all of the employee share, so your pay stub may show less. A $40,000 salary paid weekly comes to about $649.34 per paycheck with the full employee share withheld.

How Washington taxes your paycheck

Washington withholding at a glance
State income tax on wages	None
WA Paid Family and Medical Leave	1.13% premium, employee pays up to 71.43% of it of wages up to $184,500
WA Cares Fund (long-term care)	0.58% employee rate

Source: Washington State Legislature, A Legislative Guide to Washington's Tax Structure 2026

Washington doesn't have a personal or corporate net income tax, and no Washington city or county taxes wages. The state's capital gains excise tax applies to certain investment gains, not to pay, and the tax on very high incomes passed in 2026 doesn't start until 2028, so neither affects your paycheck this year.

Paid Family and Medical Leave premium

In 2026 the total premium is 1.13% of gross wages, not counting tips, and employees can be charged up to 71.43% of it. That works out to the 1.13% premium times the employee share on each paycheck, rounded to the cent. Premiums stop once your wages from one employer reach $184,500 in the year, the same as the Social Security wage base, and the cap starts over at each employer.

Paid Leave uses gross wages, so a 401(k) contribution or health insurance premium doesn't lower it.

WA Cares Fund premium

WA Cares is paid entirely by employees: 0.58% of gross wages, with no wage cap. Some people can be exempt, including temporary workers on non-immigrant visas and, once approved by the state, certain veterans, military spouses and people who live outside Washington.

Why is my Washington state tax zero?

Because Washington doesn't tax wages. The two premium lines aren't income tax: they fund paid leave and long-term care benefits you can claim later.

Things to know about Washington paychecks

No cap on WA Cares. Paid Leave stops at $184,500 of wages from an employer, but WA Cares keeps going on every dollar you earn. (Source: Washington Employment Security Department, Employer Wage Reporting and Premiums Toolkit (v25.1, June 2026))
Two jobs can mean more Paid Leave premium. The Paid Leave wage cap applies at each employer separately, so someone with two jobs can pay premiums on more than $184,500 in total. Employers also can't catch up on premiums they missed in earlier pay periods. (Source: Washington Employment Security Department, Employer Wage Reporting and Premiums Toolkit (v25.1, June 2026))
A small workers' comp deduction per hour. Employees pay part of the state's workers' compensation medical aid premium, charged per hour worked at a rate that depends on the type of job. The calculator doesn't include it because it varies by employer. (Source: Washington Department of Labor & Industries, Workers' compensation rates notice)

Federal taxes on every paycheck

Every US paycheck has the same three federal deductions, whichever state you work in. Together, Social Security and Medicare are called FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes.

Federal income tax withholding. Withholding is tax your employer takes out of each paycheck and sends to the IRS on your behalf. The amount depends on your pay and your Form W-4, using the IRS method in Publication 15-T. It is an estimate of your yearly tax; you settle the difference when you file your return.
Social Security. 6.2% of your wages, up to the wage base of $184,500 for the year. The wage base is the most pay that Social Security tax applies to.
Medicare. 1.45% of all your wages, with no limit. Once your pay from one employer passes $200,000 in a year, your employer also withholds an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on the amount above it.

Source: IRS Publication 15 (2026), (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide.

Ways to change your paycheck

Washington has no state withholding form, so the federal Form W-4 controls your income tax withholding. Your state deductions are set by law: you can't change the Paid Leave or WA Cares rate, though some employers pay the Paid Leave employee share for you.

If you qualify for a WA Cares exemption, such as living outside Washington, you can apply to the state; once approved, your employer stops withholding the premium.

Update your Form W-4. Claiming dependents, checking the Step 2 box or asking for extra withholding changes how much federal tax comes out of each paycheck. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you fill it in.
Pre-tax deductions. Money you put into a traditional 401(k), an HSA or employer health insurance comes out before federal income tax, so your take-home pay drops by less than the amount you save.
Bonuses. Employers often withhold federal tax on a bonus paid separately at a flat rate. Add a bonus under More options to see it.

Washington payroll rules

Minimum wage: $17.13 an hour in 2026, rising to $17.73 on January 1, 2027. Workers aged 14 and 15 may be paid $15.07 an hour in 2027. Employers may not count tips or service charges toward the minimum wage. Some local jurisdictions set a higher minimum wage. (Source: Washington Department of Labor & Industries, Minimum Wage)
Overtime: Overtime is at least one and a half times your regular rate for hours over 40 in a week. Washington doesn't require overtime after 8 hours in a day, except on certain public works projects. (Source: Washington Department of Labor & Industries, Overtime & Exemptions)
How often you must be paid: Employers must pay at least once a month on a regular, scheduled payday. (Source: Washington Department of Labor & Industries, Getting Paid)
Final paycheck: Whether you quit or are fired, your final paycheck is due on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. (Source: Washington Department of Labor & Industries, Getting Paid)

For employers in Washington

State unemployment tax: Employers pay unemployment insurance tax on the first $78,200 of each employee's wages in 2026. It isn't withheld from pay. Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares are separate, and employees do pay those. (Source: US Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, January 2026)
New hire reporting: Report new and rehired employees to the DSHS Division of Child Support within 20 days of hire or rehire, regardless of their age or hours worked. (Source: Washington DSHS Division of Child Support, New Hire Reporting)
State income tax withholding: Washington has no personal income tax, so there is no state income tax withholding. Employers do need to report wages and withhold Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares premiums through the Employment Security Department. (Source: Washington State Legislature, A Legislative Guide to Washington's Tax Structure 2026)

Employers with 50 or more employees in Washington also pay their own share of the Paid Leave premium; smaller employers don't have to pay the employer share but must still withhold and report.

Compare Washington with neighboring states

Take-home pay on a $60,000 salary, single filer, paid bi-weekly, no pre-tax deductions
			Per paycheck
Washington	$832	$49,558	$1,906.06
Idaho	$2,340	$48,050	$1,848.07
Oregon	$4,658	$45,732	$1,758.91

Paycheck calculators for neighboring states: Idaho, Oregon.

Most-searched state paycheck calculators

Washington paycheck FAQ

Does Washington have state income tax on paychecks?

No. Washington has no personal income tax. Your paycheck does show two state premiums, Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares, which fund benefits rather than general state spending.

How much is the Washington Paid Leave deduction?

Up to 71.43% of the 1.13% premium on gross wages in 2026, which is what the calculator shows. It stops once your wages from one employer reach $184,500 for the year.

What is WA Cares and can I opt out?

WA Cares is the state's long-term care fund, paid by employees at 0.58% of gross wages. Some groups can apply for an exemption, such as people who live outside Washington or certain veterans and military spouses.

What is the minimum wage in Washington?

$17.13 an hour in 2026 and $17.73 from January 1, 2027. Tips can't be counted toward it.

When do I get my final paycheck in Washington?

On or before the next regularly scheduled payday, whether you quit or were fired.

Is overtime taxed more in Washington?

No. Overtime is taxed at the same rates as your other wages, and the Paid Leave and WA Cares premiums apply to it at the same rates.

Sources and methodology

Every rate and limit on this page comes from the official sources below, checked on 2026-11-03. Read how our paycheck calculator works for the calculation order and its limits.