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Wisconsin Paycheck Calculator

Updated for 2026 tax year · figures checked on

Wisconsin withholds state income tax at rates from 3.54% to 7.65%, after a deduction that shrinks as your pay rises. This Wisconsin paycheck calculator, also a salary and take-home pay calculator, shows your state withholding next to federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.

A single filer on a $60,000 salary, paid every two weeks with one WT-4 exemption, has a $2,307.69 paycheck and takes home about $1,831.74, or $47,625 a year.

Take-home pay per bi-weekly paycheck

$1,831.74

$47,625.24 a year from $59,999.94 gross pay (26 paychecks)

  • Take-home 79.4%
  • Federal income tax 8.4%
  • Social Security 6.2%
  • Medicare 1.4%
  • State income tax 4.6%
Paycheck breakdown per paycheck and per year in Wisconsin
ItemPer paycheckPer 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−$106.33−$2,764.58
Take-home pay$1,831.74$47,625.24

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

Wisconsin salary calculator: what your result means

Your result is take-home pay after federal taxes and Wisconsin income tax. In the $60,000 example, federal income tax is about 8.4% of gross pay, Social Security and Medicare 7.7%, and Wisconsin income tax 4.6%.

Wisconsin has no state payroll deductions for paid leave or disability, so the state line is income tax only. Enter your WT-4 exemptions under More options.

At $100,000 a year, take-home pay is about $2,854.18 every two weeks, or $74,209 a year. A $40,000 salary paid weekly comes to about $629.68 per paycheck.

How Wisconsin taxes your paycheck

Wisconsin withholding at a glance
State income tax on wagesGraduated rates (see below)
State payroll programs withheld from payNone

Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Publication W-166 Withholding Tax Guide (1/26; official document, archived copy dated 2026-07-10)

Wisconsin withholding rates, all filers schedule
  1. over $03.54%
  2. over $12,7604.65%
  3. over $25,5205.3%
  4. over $280,9507.65%
Wisconsin withholding rates by taxable wages
ScheduleTaxable wages overRate
All filers$03.54%
$12,7604.65%
$25,5205.3%
$280,9507.65%

Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Publication W-166 Withholding Tax Guide (1/26; official document, archived copy dated 2026-07-10)

  • Thresholds are yearly wages after a deduction of up to $6,702 ($9,461 married) that phases out as pay rises, and $400 per WT-4 exemption.

Employers annualize your pay and subtract a deduction of $6,702 for single filers ($9,461 for married filers) that phases out as pay rises; a single filer earning $73,630 or more gets none. They then subtract $400 for each WT-4 exemption and withhold 3.54%, 4.65%, 5.30% and 7.65% on rising slices of the rest. Heads of household are withheld as single. No Wisconsin city or county taxes wages.

Wisconsin's withholding rules generally follow the federal tax code, so we let 401(k), Section 125 health insurance, HSA and FSA deductions lower Wisconsin wages too, while we confirm the details.

Things to know about Wisconsin paychecks

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

To change Wisconsin withholding, give your employer a new Form WT-4. Each exemption lowers yearly withheld wages by $400, and you can ask for an extra amount each paycheck.

Bonuses can be withheld as part of a regular paycheck or at a flat rate based on your yearly salary, from 3.54% to 7.65%.

  • 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.

Wisconsin payroll rules

Minimum wage
$7.25 an hour. Tipped employees can be paid $2.33 if tips make up the rest, and opportunity employees $5.90. (Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Minimum Wage (official page, archived copy dated 2026-11-03))
Overtime
Time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek. (Source: US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026))
How often you must be paid
Employers must pay at least monthly, covering wages earned up to 31 days before payday. (Source: Wisconsin Statutes § 109.03, When wages payable (official page, archived copy dated 2026-07-31))
Final paycheck
If you quit or are fired, you're paid in full by your next regular payday, or within the monthly pay deadline if that's sooner. (Source: Wisconsin Statutes § 109.03, When wages payable (official page, archived copy dated 2026-07-31))

For employers in Wisconsin

State unemployment tax
Employers pay unemployment tax on the first $14,000 of each employee's wages, with new employers at 2.50%. (Source: US Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, January 2026)
State income tax withholding
Employers register for a Wisconsin withholding tax number online or on Form BTR-101. Employees must give each employer a Form WT-4; the federal W-4 can't be used. (Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Publication W-166 Withholding Tax Guide (1/26; official document, archived copy dated 2026-07-10))

Employers must send the department copies of WT-4s claiming more than 10 exemptions, or claiming exempt from employees earning more than $200 a week.

Compare Wisconsin with neighboring states

Take-home pay on a $60,000 salary, single filer, paid bi-weekly, no pre-tax deductions
Per paycheck
Iowa$1,746$48,644$1,870.92
Michigan$2,299$48,091$1,849.64
Wisconsin$2,765$47,625$1,831.74
Illinois$2,825$47,565$1,829.41
Minnesota$3,181$47,209$1,815.73

Paycheck calculators for neighboring states: Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota.

Most-searched state paycheck calculators

Wisconsin paycheck FAQ

What are Wisconsin's withholding rates in 2026?

3.54%, 4.65%, 5.30% and 7.65%, after a deduction that phases out and $400 per WT-4 exemption.

Can I use my federal W-4 in Wisconsin?

No. Wisconsin requires its own Form WT-4.

How are bonuses withheld in Wisconsin?

Either with your regular pay or at a flat rate between 3.54% and 7.65%, depending on your yearly salary.

When do I get my final paycheck in Wisconsin?

By your next regular payday after you quit or are fired.

What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin?

$7.25 an hour, with $2.33 for tipped employees.

Is overtime taxed more in Wisconsin?

No. Overtime is taxed at the same rates as your other wages; a larger paycheck can mean more withholding that period.

Sources and methodology

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