Does Washington have a state income tax?

No. Washington is one of a handful of states with no personal income tax on wages, so your only income-tax deduction is federal. This is why Washington take-home pay is higher than in many states at the same salary.

What are the PFML and WA Cares deductions?

Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) takes a small percentage of wages, partly paid by employees. WA Cares is a long-term-care program funded by a 0.58% employee premium on wages, unless you have an approved exemption.

Does this include federal tax and FICA?

Yes. The calculator applies 2025 federal income tax brackets and the standard deduction, plus 6.2% Social Security (up to the wage base) and 1.45% Medicare, so the net figure reflects all mandatory federal deductions.

Can I turn off the WA Cares premium?

Yes. If you secured a private long-term-care exemption, toggle WA Cares off and the 0.58% premium is removed from your deductions. Most workers without an approved exemption pay it.

How accurate is the estimate?

It closely models the mandatory deductions using current rates, but your real paycheck depends on health premiums, HSA or FSA contributions, and any additional voluntary withholding not included here.

Washington Paycheck Calculator

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Washington is one of the best states for take-home pay because it has no state income tax — your wages are only reduced by federal tax and a few payroll programs. This calculator combines federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, the employee share of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), and the WA Cares long-term-care premium to estimate what actually lands in your bank account each pay period.

How it works

Because there is no state income tax, the deductions are:

Pre-tax 401(k). Subtracted from gross pay before federal income tax, lowering federal taxable income.
Federal income tax. Applies the 2025 standard deduction for your filing status, then the federal brackets (10% to 37%).
FICA. Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to the annual wage base, plus Medicare at 1.45% on all wages.
PFML (employee share). A small percentage of gross wages — the employee portion of Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave premium.
WA Cares. A 0.58% long-term-care premium on gross wages, unless you have an approved exemption.

The annual net is then divided back to your chosen pay frequency.

Tips and example

For a single filer earning $70,000 with no 401(k), Washington takes nothing in state income tax, so the only reductions are federal tax, 7.65% FICA, a small PFML share and the 0.58% WA Cares premium. That leaves substantially more take-home than the same salary in a high-income-tax state.

This is an estimate. Health insurance premiums, HSA contributions and voluntary withholding will further reduce your real paycheck, while a 401(k) lowers your federal taxable income and slightly raises your refund or reduces your balance due at year end.