Seattle Paycheck Calculator 2025: Fast & Accurate Take-Home Pay Tool

Trying to figure out your take-home pay in Seattle? You’re not alone. Between federal taxes, payroll deductions, and Washington-specific programs like WA Cares and PFML, your gross salary might look very different from your net paycheck.

The Seattle Paycheck Calculator makes it simple to estimate your after-tax income by breaking down every deduction — so you know exactly how much you’ll see on payday.

How Are Paychecks Calculated in Seattle?

Even though Seattle has no local income tax and Washington has no state income tax, your paycheck still includes several mandatory federal deductions and state-level payroll contributions.

Federal Taxes

Federal taxes are deducted based on:

• Your gross pay
• Filing status (Single, Married, etc.)
• Dependents and W-4 allowances
• Standard or itemized deductions

In addition to regular income tax, the IRS requires:

• Social Security (6.2%)
• Medicare (1.45%)
• An additional 0.9% Medicare tax for incomes over $200,000 (individuals)

These are called FICA taxes and are taken from every paycheck.

Washington State Taxes (Hint: There’s No Income Tax!)

Washington is one of the few states that does not charge state income tax. That means:

• No percentage is withheld for state income
• Your federal taxable income is the only base for income tax

However, the state does impose other payroll-related programs:

1. WA Cares Fund (0.58%)

This is Washington’s long-term care insurance program, funded by employee payroll deductions. It applies unless you’ve received a permanent exemption.

2. Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

Most employees in Seattle pay into PFML:

• The employee portion is around 0.8% of wages
• Employers may contribute a portion, but many pass it fully to employees

Together, WA Cares and PFML are important to include in any accurate Seattle paycheck calculation.

Local Taxes in Seattle

Seattle does not have a local income tax. However:

• Seattle Payroll Expense Tax is charged to some large employers (not employees)
• It does not come out of your paycheck
• It is based on employer’s annual payroll and applies only if the company meets certain thresholds

So, from an employee perspective, you do not have local taxes withheld in Seattle.

Pay Frequency & Its Impact

The number of times you’re paid per year affects the size of each paycheck, but not your total annual net income.

• Weekly: 52 paychecks/year
• Biweekly: 26 paychecks/year
• Semi-monthly: 24 paychecks/year
• Monthly: 12 paychecks/year

A biweekly paycheck will be smaller than a monthly paycheck but more frequent. Deductions scale accordingly.

Example: Biweekly Paycheck in Seattle, WA

Let’s say you earn $75,000 per year, paid biweekly, and contribute 5% to a 401(k):

Category	Amount
Gross Pay (biweekly)	$2,884.62
401(k) Contribution (5%)	$144.23
Taxable Income	$2,740.39
Federal Tax (approx)	~$330
FICA (SS + Medicare)	~$220.67
WA Cares Fund (0.58%)	~$16.73
PFML (0.8%)	~$23.08
Net Take-Home Pay	~$2,155–$2,200

This example assumes no health deductions, standard federal deduction, and single filing.

Why Use a Seattle Paycheck Calculator?

If you live or work in Seattle, a paycheck calculator helps you:

• Plan your finances based on actual net income
• Compare job offers by take-home pay, not just salary
• Understand how benefits affect your paycheck
• See the real impact of 401(k), HSA, or insurance deductions
• Get a fast preview of tax withholdings and contributions

Whether you’re paid hourly or salaried, full-time or part-time — this tool gives you clarity on your cash flow.

FAQs – Seattle Paychecks, Payroll Taxes, and Take-Home Pay

1. Does Washington have a state income tax?

No. Washington is one of the few states that does not charge personal income tax. You still pay federal taxes.

2. Do Seattle residents pay a city income tax?

No. Seattle has no local income tax for individuals.

3. What is the WA Cares Fund deduction on my paycheck?

WA Cares is a 0.58% payroll tax that funds long-term care. It’s deducted unless you’ve received a formal exemption.

4. How much is the Paid Family Medical Leave deduction in Seattle?

PFML is typically 0.8% of your gross pay. It’s required by Washington state.

5. Do 401(k) contributions reduce my federal taxes?

Yes — traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, reducing your taxable income and lowering your federal tax bill.

6. Is FICA required for all employees?

Yes. Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) are deducted from all earned income up to federal limits.

7. What’s the best pay frequency for budgeting?

It depends. Biweekly pay is common and helps even out expenses, while monthly pay gives you fewer, larger checks.

8. Does the Seattle Payroll Expense Tax affect employees directly?

No. It’s a business tax, not deducted from your paycheck.

9. How do I calculate take-home pay if I’m hourly?

Multiply your hourly rate by hours worked per pay period, then subtract estimated deductions (use our calculator!).

10. How accurate is a paycheck calculator?

Very accurate — if you enter the right info (gross pay, deductions, etc.), the tool will closely match your actual check.