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How to Read a Pay Stub

Updated for 2026 Tax data reviewed 2026-09-16. Sources and methodology

A pay stub explains how your employer got from gross earnings to the amount deposited in your account. Labels vary by payroll company, but most stubs have the same sections.

Open the paycheck calculator Enter the same earnings and deductions to compare with your stub.

1. Employee and pay period information

Confirm your name, employer, pay period start and end dates, pay date, filing information, and work location. A wrong location can affect state or local withholding.

2. Earnings

The earnings section may show regular wages, salary, overtime, bonus, commission, tips, paid time off, shift differential, or reimbursements. Hourly workers should verify hours and rates. Salaried workers should confirm the pay period and any partial-period adjustment.

3. Gross pay

Gross pay is total earnings before taxes and deductions. Current gross pay covers this paycheck; year-to-date gross pay adds earnings from January 1 through this check.

4. Taxable wages

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax may each use a different taxable wage amount. That does not mean the stub is wrong. Some pre-tax benefits reduce wages for one tax but not another; for example, 401(k) contributions lower federal income tax wages but not Social Security wages.

5. Taxes

Federal income tax withholding
Social Security or OASDI (6.2% up to $184,500 in 2026; see What is OASDI on my paycheck?)
Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200,000)
State income tax
City, county, or local tax
State disability or paid family leave contributions, such as What is CA SDI on my paycheck? or What is NY PFL on my paycheck?

Withholding is money sent to a tax authority during the year. It is not always the same as your final income tax bill.

6. Pre-tax deductions

Pre-tax deductions can reduce the wages used for one or more taxes. Common examples include certain health premiums, retirement contributions, commuter benefits, HSAs, and FSAs. The tax treatment depends on the benefit and plan.

7. Post-tax deductions

Post-tax deductions come out after taxes are calculated. Examples include Roth retirement contributions, some insurance premiums, charitable giving, union dues, and wage garnishments.

8. Employer-paid benefits

Some stubs show amounts your employer pays on your behalf. These are often informational and do not reduce your net pay, so do not assume every amount shown is an employee deduction.

9. Net pay

Net pay is what remains after taxes and deductions. If your deposit differs from the net pay total, check whether the payment was split among several bank accounts or partly issued by check.

10. Year-to-date totals

Year-to-date figures help you spot cumulative errors and check whether withholding is on track. Review them after a job change, raise, bonus, benefit election, or payroll correction.

Quick pay stub audit

Pay period and pay date
Hours and pay rates
Gross pay
Taxable wages
Each tax and deduction
Employer-paid items versus employee deductions
Net pay and deposit allocation
Year-to-date totals

Sources

Educational information only, not tax, legal, or payroll advice.