Quick answer
Washington paycheck basics
Washington does not tax wages in 2026. The Washington Department of Revenue says the state does not currently have an individual income tax, so a Washington paycheck has no state income tax line next to the federal one. The state's tax on capital gains is a separate excise tax filed with the federal return by individuals who owe it, and it is not a tax on a paycheck.
A Washington paycheck is not free of state deductions, though. Washington workers pay into two state programs out of their own wages: Paid Family and Medical Leave, at up to 71.43% of a 1.13% premium in 2026, and WA Cares Fund, a 0.58% premium on all wages. This calculator applies both alongside federal income tax withholding, Social Security, and Medicare, so the take-home figure it shows reflects what Washington actually takes. One change is coming and is worth knowing about: the 2026 Legislature created a new 9.9% income tax that takes effect January 1, 2028 and applies only to adjusted gross income over $1 million.
How Washington taxes your paycheck
Washington has no individual income tax today, so the state income tax line on a Washington paycheck is $0 at every income level. The Department of Revenue's income tax page says exactly that, and adds that the 2026 Legislature established a new income tax through Senate Bill 6346: beginning January 1, 2028, a 9.9% tax will apply to individuals and married couples filing jointly with annual adjusted gross income exceeding $1 million, with the first returns due in April 2029. Its FAQ answers whether the new tax applies to everyone who earns income in Washington with "No": it applies only to filers over that $1 million threshold. It does not change a 2026 paycheck, and the department has said more guidance on who must file and how income is calculated will follow, so this page will be updated when it does. Separately, Washington has a capital gains excise tax on the sale or exchange of certain long-term capital assets, which is not a tax on wages. What comes out of a Washington paycheck is federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and the two employee-paid state programs described below.
Washington state payroll programs
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave has a 2026 premium of 1.13% of gross wages, not including tips, up to the Social Security wage cap of $184,500. Employees pay up to 71.43% of it and employers about 28.57%, so the employee's share is about 0.81% of wages; employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from the employer share unless they received a small business assistance grant. WA Cares Fund is a 0.58% premium on all of an employee's gross wages with no cap. Employers may choose to pay some or all of the employee share of either program, and workers with an approved WA Cares exemption pay nothing into it, so an individual paycheck can differ from this calculator. Washington also lets employers deduct one-half of the Medical Aid Fund portion of the workers' compensation premium, an hourly amount that varies by risk class; this calculator does not include it.
| Program | Employee rate | Wage base | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA Paid Family and Medical Leave | 0.807% | Up to $184,500/year | Source |
| WA Cares Fund | 0.58% | No wage cap | Source |
Worked example
A $60,000 salary in Washington, single, paid biweekly
- Annual salary:
- $60,000
- Filing status:
- Single
- Pay frequency:
- Biweekly (26 paychecks/year)
- Deductions:
- None
- State:
- Washington
- Salary: +$2,307.69
- Federal income tax: −$193.08
- Social Security: −$143.08
- Medicare: −$33.46
- WA Paid Family and Medical Leave: −$18.63
- WA Cares Fund: −$13.38
Net pay per paycheck: $1,906.06
Computed with Washington's default withholding certificate (no allowances, no extra withholding) and no pre-tax or post-tax deductions. Your own paycheck will differ with different elections.
Take-home pay by salary in Washington
Net pay at five common salaries, biweekly, with no bonus, tips or deductions — computed the same way as the worked example above, for Single and Married Filing Jointly.
| Annual salary | Single — per paycheck | Single — annual | MFJ — per paycheck | MFJ — annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,298.66 | $33,765.16 | $1,369.43 | $35,605.18 |
| $60,000 | $1,906.06 | $49,557.56 | $1,989.91 | $51,737.66 |
| $80,000 | $2,461.53 | $63,999.78 | $2,597.30 | $67,529.80 |
| $100,000 | $2,992.03 | $77,792.78 | $3,204.72 | $83,322.72 |
| $150,000 | $4,296.55 | $111,710.30 | $4,657.86 | $121,104.36 |
How to use this calculator
- Enter your pay. Choose salary or hourly, fill in the amount and hours, and pick how often you are paid.
- Fill in your federal Form W-4. Filing status, the Step 2 checkbox, and Steps 3 and 4 if they apply to you.
- Add any deductions. Traditional or Roth 401(k), health premiums, HSA, FSA, or other pre-tax and post-tax amounts taken from your pay.
- Read your results. Net pay per paycheck, the full breakdown by category, and any warnings about your specific numbers.
Formulas used
Net pay = gross pay − pre-tax deductions − federal tax − FICA − state tax ($0) − state payroll programs − local tax − post-tax deductions.
Washington vs. neighboring states
Net pay on a $75,000 salary, single, paid biweekly, in Washington compared with its bordering states.
| State | Net pay per paycheck | Net pay annual | Difference vs. Washington (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $2,328.93 | $60,552.18 | — |
| Idaho | $2,248.94 | $58,472.44 | −$2,079.74 |
| Oregon | $2,144.24 | $55,750.24 | −$4,801.94 |
Frequently asked questions
How is federal income tax withheld from my paycheck calculated?+
Employers use the IRS Publication 15-T percentage method with the elections on your Form W-4: filing status, whether Step 2 is checked, Step 3 credits, and any Step 4 adjustments. That produces an amount to withhold each pay period before Social Security, Medicare, and any state or local tax are applied.
What is FICA and why is it withheld on every paycheck?+
FICA is Social Security tax (6.2% of wages up to the annual Social Security wage base) plus Medicare tax (1.45% of all wages, with an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000 in a year). Both are withheld on every US paycheck regardless of which state you work in, because they fund federal programs rather than a state one.
Is the result on this calculator the same as my actual paycheck?+
It is an estimate for planning, not a substitute for your pay stub. Your actual withholding depends on the exact elections on file with your employer, your specific pay dates, and any mid-year changes to your deductions — the calculator applies the published federal and state formulas to the numbers you enter.
Does Washington have a state income tax on paychecks?+
No. The Washington Department of Revenue says Washington does not currently have an individual income tax, so a Washington paycheck has no state income tax withholding line in 2026. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are still withheld.
Is Washington getting a new income tax?+
Yes, for high earners only. The 2026 Legislature passed Senate Bill 6346, which creates a 9.9% income tax starting January 1, 2028 on individuals and married couples filing jointly with annual adjusted gross income over $1 million. The first returns are due in April 2029, and it does not change 2026 paychecks.
Does the new Washington income tax apply to everyone who earns income in Washington?+
No. The Department of Revenue says it applies only to individuals and married couples filing jointly with annual adjusted gross income exceeding $1 million. The department says further guidance on filing requirements and how income is calculated will be published as it becomes available.
How much is the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave premium in 2026?+
The total premium is 1.13% of gross wages, not including tips, up to the 2026 Social Security wage cap of $184,500. Employees pay up to 71.43% of it, which is about 0.81% of wages, and employers pay about 28.57%.
How much is WA Cares Fund taken out of my paycheck?+
0.58% of your gross wages, according to the WA Cares Fund. Unlike Paid Family and Medical Leave, it is not capped at the Social Security taxable maximum, so it applies to all of your wages.
Can I be exempt from WA Cares?+
Some workers can. The WA Cares Fund says employees with approved exemptions do not contribute, and it is the employee's responsibility to apply and give the employer the approval letter. This calculator assumes no exemption, so an exempt worker's take-home pay will be higher than shown.
Are tips included in Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums?+
No. The premium is calculated on gross wages not including tips. This calculator applies the rate to wages subject to Social Security and Medicare, which include tips, so a tipped worker's actual Paid Family and Medical Leave deduction can be slightly lower than the figure shown.
Does my Washington employer pay any of these premiums for me?+
Often, and the split can vary. For Paid Family and Medical Leave employers pay about 28.57% of the total premium and employees up to 71.43%, and employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from the employer share. For WA Cares, employers may elect to pay some or all of the employee share. This calculator shows the maximum employee share.
Can Washington employers deduct workers' compensation from my paycheck?+
In part. Labor & Industries says employers may generally deduct one-half of the Medical Aid Fund portion of the workers' compensation premium from an employee's paycheck. It is an hourly amount that varies by the employer's risk class, so this calculator does not include it; check your pay stub.
What is the minimum wage in Washington in 2026?+
The 2026 state minimum wage is $17.13 per hour, according to the Washington Department of Labor & Industries, effective January 1, 2026. Some local jurisdictions have higher minimum wage rates than the state, so check the local rate where you work.
Sources
- Washington Department of Revenue — Income tax
- Washington Department of Revenue — Frequently asked questions about income tax
- Washington Department of Revenue — Capital gains tax
- Washington Employment Security Department — Paid Family & Medical Leave premium rate increases to 1.13% in 2026
- Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave — Employer roles and responsibilities
- WA Cares Fund — Employer information
- Washington Department of Labor & Industries — Paycheck Deductions
- Washington Department of Labor & Industries — Minimum Wage
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), Employer's Tax Guide
- Social Security Administration — 2026 COLA Fact Sheet