Salary Comparison Calculator

Compare two salaries after taxes side by side. See the real take-home pay difference between job offers, states, or a raise.

Current Salary

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New Salary / Offer

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Why a $13K Raise Is Not $1,083/Month More

One of the most common mistakes in salary negotiation is thinking a raise translates dollar-for-dollar to your paycheck. It does not, because of marginal tax rates.

Your existing salary is already spread across the lower tax brackets (10%, 12%). A raise goes straight to your highest bracket. If you earn $75,000 and receive a $13,000 raise, every dollar of that raise is taxed at 22% federal plus 7.65% FICA plus your state rate. In California, that means you keep roughly $8,100 of the $13,000, or about $675/month rather than $1,083.

This is also why comparing salaries across states matters. Moving from a no-tax state like Texas to California does not just mean a higher salary offer needs to cover the difference. It needs to cover the marginal state tax on every dollar, which can be 6-9% in high-tax states.

Use the calculator above to see the exact after-tax impact of any salary change. For a deeper understanding of how tax brackets work, visit our 2026 tax brackets guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I compare two job offers in different states?+
Enter both salaries with their respective states in the comparison tool above. The calculator applies 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA, and state-specific income tax rates to show you the actual take-home pay difference per month and per paycheck. Remember that cost of living also matters. A lower salary in a low-cost state may leave you with more spending power.
Why is a $13,000 raise not $1,083 more per month?+
Raises are taxed at your marginal rate, not your average rate. If you earn $75,000 and get a $13,000 raise to $88,000, that extra income falls in the 22% federal bracket. After 22% federal tax, ~5% state tax, and 7.65% FICA, you keep roughly 65% of the raise, or about $8,450 more per year ($704/month), not the full $1,083.
Is a higher salary always better even with higher state taxes?+
Not always. A $95,000 salary in California (with ~6% state tax) can result in less take-home pay than $82,000 in Texas (no state tax). The break-even point depends on the specific salary levels and states involved. Use the comparison calculator to find your exact numbers.
How much of a raise do I actually keep after taxes?+
It depends on your current income. If you are in the 22% federal bracket, you keep roughly 63-68% of any raise after federal tax, FICA, and state tax. In the 24% bracket, you keep about 61-66%. The higher your marginal bracket, the less of each additional dollar you keep.

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