Washington Paycheck Calculator (2026) | WA Take-Home Pay Estimator
Calculate your take-home pay in Washington State. Account for zero state wage income tax, federal withholding, WA PFML, and WA Cares Fund deductions.
Your Earnings & Tax Info
Select state, pay frequency, and gross payItemized Paycheck Deductions
Publication 15-T line items| Paycheck Line Item | Per Period | Annual Total | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
Gross Earnings Total earnings before taxes and deductions. | $3,461.54 | $90,000.00 | 100.0% |
Federal Income Tax Withheld per IRS Publication 15-T percentage method based on filing status and Form W-4. | -$522.96 | -$13,596.96 | 15.1% |
Social Security (OASDI) 6.2% on eligible wages up to the 2026 wage base limit ($181,800). | -$214.62 | -$5,580.00 | 6.2% |
Medicare (Hospital Insurance) 1.45% on all earnings with no annual wage limit. | -$50.19 | -$1,305.00 | 1.4% |
WA Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) 0.284% (up to $181,800) | -$9.83 | -$255.60 | 0.3% |
WA Cares Fund (Long-Term Care) 0.58% (no wage cap) | -$20.08 | -$522.00 | 0.6% |
Take-Home (Net) Pay Estimated net amount deposited into your bank account per paycheck. | $2,643.86 | $68,740.44 | 76.4% |
Verified Calculation Basis (Tax Year 2026)
IRS Publication 15-T percentage method withholding & state revenue schedules applied.
- Washington does not levy a personal wage income tax. Mandatory state payroll programs fund family leave and long-term care.
Official Data Source:Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) & WA Cares Premium Rates →
Published and maintained by the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD). Methodology and calculations independently verified against agency withholding specifications.
How Washington Paychecks Are Calculated in 2026
Washington State has **no general personal income tax on employee wages**. Under longstanding Washington Supreme Court precedent, individual wage income cannot be subjected to a graduated state income tax.
However, Washington is unique among no-income-tax states because it mandates **two significant employee-paid state payroll programs**:
| Program Name | Governing Agency | 2026 Employee Rate | Wage Cap Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) | WA ESD | 0.284% | Capped at Social Security wage base ($181,800) |
| WA Cares Fund (Long-Term Care) | WA ESD / WA Cares | 0.580% | No wage cap (applies to 100% of wages) |
Worked Example: Biweekly Paycheck for a $90,000 Salary in Washington
Consider a tech or healthcare worker in Seattle earning $90,000 annually, paid biweekly (26 pay periods per year), filing as Single:
- Gross Pay per Check:
$90,000 ÷ 26 = $3,461.54 - Federal Income Tax Withholding:
$373.23(IRS Publication 15-T) - Social Security Tax (6.2%):
$214.62($3,461.54 × 6.2%) - Medicare Tax (1.45%):
$50.19($3,461.54 × 1.45%) - WA State Income Tax:
$0.00 - WA PFML Premium (0.284%):
$9.83($3,461.54 × 0.284%) - WA Cares Fund (0.58%):
$20.08($3,461.54 × 0.58%) - Total Deductions:
$667.95 - Estimated Take-Home (Net) Pay:
$2,793.59 per paycheck
In Washington, this worker takes home 80.7% of their gross earnings. While net pay is higher than in California or New York, the worker pays $29.91 per check ($777.66 annually) toward Washington's state benefit funds.
Washington Paycheck FAQs
Can I opt out of the WA Cares Fund?
Permanent opt-outs for the WA Cares Fund were only available during a limited window in 2021–2022 for individuals who purchased qualifying private long-term care insurance prior to November 1, 2021. Today, exemptions are only granted for specific narrow categories (such as non-immigrant visa holders, veterans with 70%+ disability ratings, or spouses of active-duty military).
Does Seattle or King County have a local income tax?
No. City and county governments in Washington State are prohibited from levying local wage income taxes on employees.
What is the Washington Capital Gains Tax, and does it affect my paycheck?
In 2021, Washington enacted a 7% tax on long-term capital gains exceeding $250,000 (adjusted for inflation). However, this tax applies exclusively to high-value investment profits (such as stocks and bonds); it **does not apply to ordinary W-2 employee wages or salaries** and is never deducted from your paycheck.
Why does WA Cares have no wage limit?
Unlike WA PFML and Social Security (which cap contributions at statutory thresholds), the WA Cares Fund statute (RCW 50B.04) was designed without an earnings cap. High earners contribute 0.58% on their total gross compensation.