Kentucky Weekly Paycheck Calculator

Annual Salary ($): OR Hourly Rate ($): Hours per Week: Overtime/Bonus per Week ($): Filing Status: Pre-Tax Deductions per Week ($): Post-Tax Deductions per Week ($): Extra Withholding per Week ($):

Easily Calculate Your Weekly Pay with the Free Kentucky Paycheck Calculator (2025 Update)

When you receive a paycheck in Kentucky, your gross pay is reduced by a combination of federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and state income tax before you see your net pay. A Kentucky Weekly Paycheck Calculator makes it simple to break down these numbers, showing you exactly what you’ll take home every week. Whether you’re a salaried employee or an hourly worker, knowing your true take-home pay helps you budget more effectively and plan for savings.

How Paychecks Are Calculated in Kentucky

Your paycheck in Kentucky is shaped by several factors:

Federal Income Taxes
- The IRS applies a progressive tax system (10% to 37%), based on your income and filing status (single, married, or head of household).
- Federal withholding is determined by your W-4 form, dependents, and allowances.
FICA Taxes
- Social Security: 6.2% of your wages up to the federal cap ($168,600 in 2025).
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, plus an additional 0.9% for high earners ($200,000+ single, $250,000+ married).
Kentucky State Taxes
- Kentucky has a flat 4% state income tax on taxable income.
- Unlike some states, there are no local or city-level income taxes in Kentucky, which simplifies paycheck calculations.
Other Deductions
- Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, HSA, FSA, and health insurance reduce your taxable income.
- Post-tax deductions like union dues, insurance, or garnishments reduce your net pay after taxes.

Pay Frequency and Its Impact

The frequency of your paycheck doesn’t change your annual salary but affects the size of each check:

Weekly (52 paychecks per year): Common for hourly workers; smaller, consistent pay.
Biweekly (26 paychecks per year): Standard for many employers; sometimes 27 checks in a year.
Semi-monthly (24 paychecks per year): Fixed paydays, such as the 15th and last day of the month.
Monthly (12 paychecks per year): Fewer, larger checks that require more careful budgeting.

Practical Example – Kentucky Weekly Paycheck

Let’s say you earn $52,000 per year in Kentucky and are paid weekly:

Gross weekly pay: $52,000 ÷ 52 = $1,000
Federal income tax (approx., single filer): ~$120
Social Security (6.2%): $62.00
Medicare (1.45%): $14.50
Kentucky state income tax (4%): $40.00
Net weekly paycheck: ≈ $763.50

This doesn’t include deductions for retirement contributions or health insurance, which would lower taxable income and reduce your taxes.

Why Use a Kentucky Weekly Paycheck Calculator?

A paycheck calculator isn’t just a convenience — it’s a financial planning tool. For Kentucky workers, it helps you:

Accurately budget on a weekly basis.
See how 401(k) or HSA contributions affect take-home pay.
Understand the difference between salary and hourly income.
Plan ahead for bonuses, overtime, or promotions.
Compare job offers based on net pay, not just gross salary.

FAQs – Kentucky Weekly Paycheck Rules

1. Does Kentucky have a state income tax?
Yes, Kentucky applies a flat 4% income tax on taxable wages.

2. Do Kentucky cities charge local income taxes?
No, unlike some states, Kentucky does not have local or city-level income taxes.

3. How much is Social Security tax in Kentucky?
Social Security is a federal tax of 6.2% on wages up to the IRS wage base limit.

4. How much is Medicare tax in Kentucky?
Medicare is 1.45% on all wages, with an extra 0.9% surtax for high-income earners.

5. Are bonuses taxed differently in Kentucky?
Yes, bonuses are considered supplemental income and may be subject to a flat 22% federal withholding, plus Kentucky’s 4% state tax.

6. How do pre-tax deductions affect my paycheck?
Pre-tax contributions like 401(k) or HSA reduce taxable wages, lowering both federal and state taxes.

7. Does weekly pay change my total taxes?
No. Whether you’re paid weekly, biweekly, or monthly, your annual tax liability remains the same. Only the per-paycheck withholding changes.

8. Can I calculate my paycheck if I’m paid hourly?
Yes. Multiply your hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks, then apply taxes and deductions.

9. Why is my paycheck smaller than expected?
Common reasons include federal and state tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, retirement contributions, health insurance, or garnishments.

10. Does Kentucky tax retirement income?
Kentucky exempts some retirement income, but wages earned while working are fully taxed at 4%.