Pay Raise Calculator – What Your Raise Is Really Worth After Tax
Got a 5% raise? See how much you actually keep. Taxes cut into every raise—federal, state, and FICA. This calculator shows your real after-tax amount by state, paycheck impact, and inflation-adjusted gain. No signup.
Example: 5% raise on $80K (California, single)
Gross Raise
$4,000
After Tax
$2,442
Biweekly
$93.92
Real (3% inflation)
1.94%
A 5% raise on $80,000 = $4,000 gross, $2,442 after tax (~$93.92/paycheck biweekly).
Source: FinCalc server-rendered example using the same formulas as the interactive calculator.
Same 5% raise, different states
Same $80K salary, 5% raise ($4K gross), single filer. State tax changes how much you keep:
California
$2,442 after tax
~38.95% marginal
Texas (no state tax)
$2,814 after tax
~29.65% marginal
Florida (no state tax)
$2,814 after tax
~29.65% marginal
No-income-tax states (TX, FL, NV, WA, WY) leave $372+ more in your pocket on the same gross raise.
5% on $50K (Texas, single)
$2,500 gross → $2,008.75 after tax. ~$77.26/paycheck biweekly.
5% on $120K (New York, married)
$6,000 gross → $4,491 after tax. ~$172.73/paycheck biweekly.
Raise inputs
Raise results (after tax)
New gross salary
$84,000
Gross raise amount
$4,000
Raise after tax
$2,442
Marginal tax rate applied
38.95%
Monthly increase
$203.50
Biweekly increase
$93.92
Weekly increase
$46.96
Real raise (2.7% inflation)
2.24%
Your raise is worth $94 per paycheck (biweekly).
With 2.7% inflation, your real raise is 2.24%.
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Raise amount table (gross)
| Raise % | On $50,000 | On $75,000 | On $100,000 | On $150,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| 3% | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| 5% | $2,500 | $3,750 | $5,000 | $7,500 |
| 10% | $5,000 | $7,500 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| 15% | $7,500 | $11,250 | $15,000 | $22,500 |
Raise amount table (after tax, 25% marginal estimate)
| Raise % | On $50,000 | On $75,000 | On $100,000 | On $150,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | $750 | $1,125 | $1,500 | $2,250 |
| 3% | $1,125 | $1,687.50 | $2,250 | $3,375 |
| 5% | $1,875 | $2,812.50 | $3,750 | $5,625 |
| 10% | $3,750 | $5,625 | $7,500 | $11,250 |
| 15% | $5,625 | $8,437.50 | $11,250 | $16,875 |
When a raise isn't real growth
If inflation exceeds your raise, your purchasing power drops. A 3% raise with 5% inflation = a real pay cut. Employers often project 3.5–4% raises for 2026; aim for at least inflation-matching to stay flat. The calculator's "real raise" line shows your inflation-adjusted gain.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 5% raise on $80,000?
5% of $80,000 = $4,000 gross. After federal, state, and FICA taxes (marginal rate ~28–32% in most states), your after-tax raise is roughly $2,700–$2,900. Use the calculator for your exact state and filing status.
How much is a 3% raise on $60,000?
3% of $60,000 = $1,800 gross. After taxes (marginal rate ~25–30% for that income range), you keep about $1,250–$1,350 after tax—around $48–$52 per biweekly paycheck. State matters: no-income-tax states leave more.
Why is my after-tax raise less than my gross raise?
Your raise is taxed at your marginal rate—the rate on your last dollar of income. Federal income tax, state tax (where applicable), and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) all apply. A 25% marginal rate means 75% of the raise stays in your pocket.
What is inflation-adjusted real raise?
If you get a 5% raise but inflation is 3%, your real (purchasing-power) gain is only ~2%. The calculator shows the inflation-adjusted real raise rate so you can see whether your pay is actually growing.
How does state affect my raise?
States without income tax (TX, FL, NV, etc.) leave more of your raise after tax. High-tax states (CA, NY, NJ) apply state marginal rates that can reduce a $4K gross raise by $200–$400 or more.
Should my raise match inflation?
To maintain purchasing power, your nominal raise should at least match inflation. At 3.5% inflation, a $70,000 salary needs to become about $72,450 to stay flat in real terms. Any raise below inflation is a real pay cut.
Is a 5% raise good in 2026?
U.S. employers typically project 3.5–4% raises for 2026. A 5% raise is above average and—if inflation stays around 2.5–3%—gives you real income growth. Use the calculator to see your after-tax gain.
How much do I keep from a $5,000 raise?
Depends on your marginal tax rate (federal + state + FICA). At ~30%, you keep about $3,500 after tax. At ~25% (e.g., no state tax), you keep roughly $3,750. The calculator shows your exact amount by state and filing status.
Does a raise push me into a higher tax bracket?
Only the amount above the bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate—not your entire income. A small raise rarely changes your effective rate much. The calculator uses marginal rates for the raise amount only.
What raise do I need to get $100 more per paycheck?
After ~28% combined taxes, you need about $139 gross raise per paycheck (biweekly) to net $100. That’s roughly $3,600/year gross. Use the calculator: enter your salary and adjust the raise until you hit the desired net increase.
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