Washington paycheck calculator 2026
Washington has no state income tax on wages.
Enter pay details
Federal tax on a bonus paid on its own check is a flat 22% (37% above $1M of bonuses in the year). Your W-4 doesn't change it.
Per paycheck. Calculating from gross pay → other amounts
No state income tax on wages here.
More W-4, deductions and employer settings
- Standard deduction $16,100 single, $32,200 married jointly, $24,150 head of household
- Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 · Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% over $200,000)
- FUTA 0.6% on the first $7,000 · bonus withholding 22%
- 401(k) limit $24,500 ($32,500 at 50+, $35,750 at 60–63)
Paycheck breakdown
Employer taxes (on top of gross pay)
Where the employer's money goes
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Washington payroll taxes and rules for 2026
Washington has no state income tax on wages. Employees pay two state premiums: Paid Family and Medical Leave (up to 0.807% of wages in 2026, on wages up to $184,500) and the WA Cares Fund for long-term care (0.58% of all wages). Employers pay unemployment insurance on the first $78,200 of each employee's wages, the employer Paid Leave share if they have 50 or more employees, and hourly workers' comp premiums to L&I.
- Income tax
- No state income tax on wages.
- Employers do not withhold state income tax and employees file no state withholding certificate.
- Paid Leave and WA Cares premiums are figured on gross wages.
- Employee deductions
- Paid Family and Medical Leave: Up to 71.43% of the 1.13% premium (0.807% of wages), on wages up to $184,500 The employer may pay some or all of the employee share.
- WA Cares Fund (long-term care): 0.58% of all wages, no cap Not withheld from employees who show an ESD exemption approval letter.
- L&I workers' compensation, employee share: Cents per hour worked, by risk class Employers must deduct half of the medical aid premium from workers' pay.
- Employer taxes
- Unemployment Insurance (UI): First $78,200 per employee; 2026 rates 0.27% to 6.03% including the Employment Administration Fund New employers pay 115% of the average rate for their industry, with a 1% minimum.
- Paid Family and Medical Leave, employer share: 28.57% of the 1.13% premium (0.323% of wages), up to $184,500 Required for employers with 50 or more employees.
- L&I workers' compensation: Cents per hour worked, by risk class Washington workers' comp is a state fund unless the employer is self-insured.
- Local taxes
- Washington cities and counties do not withhold income tax from wages.
- Bonuses
- Washington has no state income tax, so a bonus is subject only to the Paid Leave and WA Cares premiums, the same as regular wages.
- Minimum wage 2026
- $17.13 per hour Some cities, such as Seattle, set a higher local minimum wage.
- Pay frequency
- On an established regular payday at least once a month (WAC 296-126-023).
- Final paycheck
- Fired or quit: at the end of the established pay period (RCW 49.48.010).
- New-hire reporting
- Within 20 days of the hire, rehire or return to work (RCW 26.23.040).
- Reciprocity
- None. Washington has no income tax; Washington residents who work in Oregon owe Oregon income tax.
Checked against official sources on October 5, 2026:
- Washington Paid Leave: Employer roles and responsibilities
- WA Cares Fund: Employers
- Washington ESD: How we determine tax rates
- Washington ESD: 2026 unemployment tax rates for employers
- Washington L&I: Rates and risk classes
- RCW 51.16.140: Premium liability of worker
- RCW 49.48.010: Payment of wages
- WAC 296-126-023: Payment intervals
- RCW 26.23.040: New hire reporting
- U.S. DOL: State minimum wage laws
Take-home pay in Washington by salary
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | Washington taxes | Take-home / year | Per paycheck | Employer cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $555 | $33,765 | $1,299 | $43,714 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $832 | $49,558 | $1,906 | $65,550 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $1,110 | $64,000 | $2,462 | $87,358 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $1,387 | $77,793 | $2,992 | $108,888 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $2,081 | $111,710 | $4,297 | $162,713 |
Single filer, paid every two weeks, 2026 W-4 with no adjustments, default Washington withholding settings, no 401(k) or benefits, new-employer unemployment rate. Washington taxes include state income tax and employee-paid state programs; local taxes are not included unless the default setting includes them.
How the federal part works, step by step: the 2026 paycheck guide · Virginia · West Virginia
Washington paycheck questions
Do small employers pay Paid Leave premiums?
Employers with fewer than 50 employees do not have to pay the employer share, but they must still collect and send the employee share (up to 0.807% of wages in 2026).
Is WA Cares capped like Social Security?
No. The 0.58% WA Cares premium applies to all wages. Only the Paid Leave premium stops at the Social Security wage cap ($184,500 in 2026).
Why isn't workers' comp a percentage of wages?
Washington L&I charges premiums per hour worked, at a rate set for each risk class. Part of the rate is deducted from the worker's pay.
How much is $60,000 a year after taxes in Washington?
About $49,558 a year, or $1,906 every two weeks, for a single filer with no other W-4 adjustments in 2026. Federal income tax is $5,020, Social Security and Medicare $4,590, and Washington taxes and payroll deductions $832.
What does a $60,000 employee cost an employer in Washington?
$65,550 a year before benefits: the salary plus the 7.65% FICA match, federal unemployment (FUTA) and Washington unemployment insurance at the new-employer rate of 1.53% on the first $78,200.
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