Easy Seattle Paycheck Calculator 2025 – Fast, Accurate & Free

The Seattle Paycheck Calculator helps you estimate your take-home pay after taxes, deductions, and contributions. Whether you’re a full-time employee, freelancer, or hourly worker in Seattle, Washington, this tool makes it easy to understand how much of your gross income you actually keep each pay period.

By including important state-specific factors like the WA Cares Fund and PFML deduction, the Seattle Paycheck Calculator provides a more precise and transparent view of your paycheck. It’s the ideal resource for budgeting, comparing job offers, or simply verifying your employer’s payroll calculations.

How the Calculator Works

This calculator estimates your net pay (take-home pay) by subtracting all applicable federal, state, and local deductions from your gross pay. Washington State doesn’t have an income tax, but employees in Seattle still contribute to Social Security, Medicare, and state-mandated programs such as the WA Cares Fund and Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML). For a quick comparison of your take-home pay, try the Delaware calculator before updating your payroll settings.

Input Field Breakdown

• Gross Pay per Period ($):
  Your total earnings before taxes and deductions for each pay period. Example: $2,500 per week.
• Pay Frequency:
  How often you get paid — weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly.
• Filing Status:
  Your federal filing category (Single, Married, or Head of Household). It determines your federal tax withholding rate.
• Number of Dependents:
  The number of people you claim as dependents. This can reduce your taxable income.
• 401(k) Contribution (%):
  The percentage of your pay directed into a retirement account. These contributions are pre-tax, which lowers taxable income.
• Health Insurance Deduction ($ per period):
  Any health insurance premiums deducted from your paycheck before taxes.
• HSA/FSA Contribution ($ per period):
  Pre-tax contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Include WA Cares Fund (0.58%):
  A Washington program that funds long-term care benefits. Employees contribute 0.58% of their gross pay unless exempt.
• Include PFML Deduction (0.8%):
  Paid Family & Medical Leave helps workers cover income during family or medical leave. Employers may split this deduction. You can calculate your after-tax income with the New York after-tax calculator to see how much you’ll actually keep.

Calculation Formula

Net Pay = Gross Pay 
          - Federal Income Tax 
          - FICA Taxes (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%) 
          - WA Cares Fund (0.58%) 
          - PFML Deduction (0.8%) 
          - 401(k) Contribution 
          - Health Insurance Premiums 
          - HSA/FSA Contributions

The resulting value is your take-home pay for each pay period. This calculator uses current federal tax brackets and Washington-specific deductions to ensure accurate estimates.

Example Calculation (Verification Section)

Let’s look at a sample paycheck estimate:

• Gross Pay per Period: $2,500
• Pay Frequency: Weekly
• Filing Status: Single
• Dependents: 0
• 401(k) Contribution: 5%
• Health Insurance Deduction: $80
• HSA/FSA Contribution: $20
• WA Cares Fund: 0.58%
• PFML Deduction: 0.8%

Estimated Take-Home Pay: Approximately $1,880 per week

Explanation:
Starting from $2,500 in gross weekly pay, the calculator subtracts 5% for your 401(k) contribution ($125), $80 for health insurance, $20 for HSA/FSA, and mandatory taxes including federal, Social Security, Medicare, and Washington’s WA Cares and PFML contributions.

The final result, about $1,880, represents your net paycheck — the actual amount deposited into your account. This allows you to verify deductions and confirm that your pay stub aligns with your expected take-home amount. Workers across Florida often prefer the Florida with 401k calculator to include retirement contributions in their paychecks.

Benefits of Using This Calculator

• Provides accurate and instant estimates for Seattle and Washington employees.
• Helps you plan your budget with a clear view of after-tax income.
• Accounts for unique Washington deductions like the WA Cares Fund and PFML.
• Allows easy adjustment of inputs for personalized results.
• Saves time and improves accuracy compared to manual tax calculations.

Before applying for loans, estimate your monthly pay using the City Paycheck Calculator.

Tips or Common Mistakes

• Always enter your gross pay (before taxes), not your take-home pay.
• Be sure to select the correct pay frequency — weekly, bi-weekly, etc.
• Include your 401(k), HSA/FSA, or insurance deductions to improve accuracy.
• Remember that Washington has no state income tax, but still requires WA Cares and PFML deductions.
• Recalculate your paycheck if your salary, benefits, or deductions change during the year.

Common Questions / FAQs

1. Does Seattle have a city income tax?
No. Seattle does not impose a city income tax. However, employees still pay federal taxes and Washington state-level contributions like WA Cares and PFML.

2. Are WA Cares Fund and PFML required for everyone?
Most employees are automatically enrolled. Certain exemptions apply (for example, some self-employed individuals or those with alternative coverage).

3. How accurate are the calculator results?
Results are estimates based on current tax rates. Actual pay may vary slightly depending on your employer’s specific deductions and benefits.

4. Can I use this calculator for hourly pay?
Yes. Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per pay period to find your gross pay before entering it.

5. Does this include employer contributions?
No. The calculator only reflects employee-side withholdings. Employer contributions to benefits or taxes aren’t deducted from your take-home pay.

Conclusion

The Seattle Paycheck Calculator gives you a clear, reliable estimate of your net pay after all taxes and deductions. Designed with Washington-specific details like the WA Cares Fund and PFML program, it’s one of the most accurate ways to understand what you truly earn each pay period.