Federal Employee Paycheck Calculator
Enter your salary and a few deductions to estimate your take-home pay as a US federal employee. The calculator uses 2026 tax rules and includes FERS or CSRS, TSP, FEHB, Social Security, Medicare, and federal income tax.
How much is a federal employee's take-home pay?
Most federal employees keep about 65% to 80% of their gross pay. For example, a $65,000 salary paid every two weeks gives a gross paycheck of $2,492.00 and a take-home pay of about $1,866.87 with FERS-FRAE, a 5% traditional TSP contribution, and no health insurance or state tax. Use the calculator above to see your own number.
How to use this federal paycheck calculator
- Enter your annual salary. Use the full amount from your SF-50, including locality pay. You can find GS pay on the OPM pay tables.
- Choose your pay frequency and filing status. Most agencies pay every two weeks, which means 26 pay periods a year.
- Pick your retirement plan. Choose FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE, or CSRS. Your LES shows the right one.
- Add your TSP, health insurance, and state tax. Enter your TSP percentage, your FEHB premium per pay period, and your state tax rate.
- Read your estimate. The result shows each deduction and your net pay for every pay period, month, and year.
How federal take-home pay is calculated
Federal net pay is your gross pay minus taxes, retirement, and benefit deductions. The calculator follows five simple steps.
Step 1: Find your gross pay for each pay period
Federal agencies do not divide your salary by 26. They divide your annual salary by 2,087 hours and round the hourly rate to the nearest cent. Then they multiply it by 80 hours for a two-week pay period. This is why a $65,000 salary gives $2,492.00 per paycheck and not $2,500.00.
Step 2: Take out retirement contributions
FERS and CSRS contributions are a percentage of your basic pay. They are taken from every paycheck and are still taxed as income.
Step 3: Take out TSP and FEHB
Traditional TSP and FEHB premiums lower the pay that is used to calculate federal income tax. Roth TSP does not lower your tax today, but you will not pay tax on qualified withdrawals later.
Step 4: Calculate taxes
The calculator uses the 2026 standard deduction and tax brackets to estimate federal income tax. It then adds Social Security, Medicare, and your state tax estimate.
Step 5: Get your net pay
After all deductions, the amount left is your take-home pay. This is the money that goes into your bank account.
Federal paycheck deductions explained
Federal income tax withholding
Your agency withholds income tax based on your Form W-4. This calculator assumes a standard W-4 with no extra withholding or tax credits. The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household.
Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
FERS employees pay 6.2% Social Security tax on pay up to $184,500 in 2026. Everyone pays 1.45% Medicare tax. Pay above $200,000 has an extra 0.9% Medicare tax. CSRS-only employees do not pay Social Security tax.
FERS and CSRS retirement contributions
| Retirement plan | Who it usually covers | Employee rate |
|---|---|---|
| FERS | Hired before January 1, 2013 | 0.8% |
| FERS-RAE | Hired in 2013 | 3.1% |
| FERS-FRAE | Hired on or after January 1, 2014 | 4.4% |
| CSRS | Hired before 1984 | 7.0% |
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and some other special groups pay 0.5% more. Your SF-50 and LES show the exact plan, so always check them.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
The TSP is the federal version of a 401(k). The 2026 limit for your own contributions is $24,500. Employees age 50 and older can add $8,000 more, and ages 60 to 63 can add $11,250. FERS employees also get 1% from their agency, plus up to 4% more when they contribute at least 5%. Agency money does not reduce your paycheck. Traditional TSP lowers your income tax now. Roth TSP does not.
Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
Most employees pay FEHB premiums before tax through premium conversion. This lowers income tax and also Social Security and Medicare wages. Enter the amount from your LES for each pay period.
State and local tax, and other deductions
State and local taxes depend on where you live and work. Enter a simple percentage to get an estimate. Other common deductions include FEGLI life insurance, union dues, flexible spending accounts, and allotments.
Federal take-home pay examples
This table shows a biweekly paycheck for different salaries. It assumes single filing status, FERS-FRAE, a 5% traditional TSP contribution, and no health insurance or state tax.
| Annual salary | Gross per paycheck | Federal tax | Social Security + Medicare | FERS + TSP | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,533.60 | $90.98 | $117.32 | $144.16 | $1,181.14 |
| $50,000 | $1,916.80 | $134.67 | $146.64 | $180.18 | $1,455.32 |
| $60,000 | $2,300.00 | $178.35 | $175.95 | $216.20 | $1,729.50 |
| $70,000 | $2,683.20 | $222.04 | $205.26 | $252.22 | $2,003.68 |
| $80,000 | $3,066.40 | $301.26 | $234.58 | $288.24 | $2,242.32 |
| $100,000 | $3,833.60 | $461.61 | $293.27 | $360.36 | $2,718.36 |
| $120,000 | $4,600.00 | $621.78 | $351.90 | $432.40 | $3,193.92 |
Your result will be lower if you pay for health insurance or live in a state with income tax.
How to read your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
Your LES is the federal version of a pay stub. Use it to check this estimate.
- Pay period and date: shows the dates the pay covers.
- Earnings: shows basic pay, locality pay, and any overtime or premium pay.
- Deductions: lists federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, retirement, TSP, FEHB, and others.
- Net pay: is the amount sent to your bank.
- Year-to-date totals: show everything paid or deducted so far this year.
- Leave balances: show your annual leave, sick leave, and other leave.
Why your real paycheck may be different
- Overtime, night pay, holiday pay, bonuses, and awards change your gross pay.
- Extra withholding or credits on your W-4 change your income tax.
- State and local taxes differ by place and are only estimated here.
- Leave without pay or part-time schedules change your hours.
- Pay above the Social Security limit stops paying 6.2% later in the year.
Federal employee paycheck calculator FAQs
How much do federal employees take home?
How is a federal biweekly paycheck calculated?
What is taken out of a federal paycheck?
How much is the FERS contribution?
Is TSP taken out before tax?
Are FEHB premiums pre-tax?
Do federal employees pay Social Security tax?
What is the TSP contribution limit in 2026?
Is this calculator the same as my LES?
How often are federal employees paid?
More pay and salary tools
Official sources: OPM pay tables · IRS Publication 15-T · SSA wage base · TSP.gov · FEHB premium conversion
Syed Osama
Syed Osama is a digital publishing specialist who builds career metrics, financial calculators, and interactive web tools. He focuses on developing practical calculation resources to help remote workers, freelancers, and professionals make quick, accurate financial estimations.
This calculator gives an estimate for education only. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules, pay rates, and benefit rules change. Always check your Leave and Earnings Statement and talk to your agency payroll office or a tax professional.