Washington Paycheck Calculator
Washington has no income tax. Two other things still come out of every check.
Detailed paycheck estimator for workers in **Washington** (WA). Uses updated 2026 federal withholdings, FICA tax limits, and state-specific tax brackets.
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How much tax comes out of a paycheck in Washington?
Washington has no state income tax, but two state payroll premiums still come out of every check. A single filer earning $75,000 takes home about $60,552 a year, or $2,329 per biweekly paycheck.
W-2 tax structure in Washington
Washington collects no income tax on wages. What it does collect is two mandatory employee payroll premiums: Paid Family and Medical Leave, and the WA Cares Fund. Together they take about 1.39% of your gross pay. Most paycheck calculators show your Washington state deduction as $0.00, which is why your real check often lands lower than you expected.
Washington's two payroll premiums for 2026
| Premium | Rate on gross wages | Who pays | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) | 1.13% total | Employee pays 71.43% | $184,500 (Social Security wage base) |
| WA Cares Fund | 0.58% | Employee pays 100% | None |
| Combined employee cost | ~1.39% of gross | ||
The PFML rate rose from 0.92% to 1.13% on January 1, 2026, per the Washington Employment Security Department. If your check got smaller in January and nothing else changed, that increase is why.
Worked payroll example (gross $75,000 salary)
| Withholding Category | Annual Deduction |
|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $75,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$7,670.00 |
| FICA Tax (Social Security & Medicare) | -$5,737.50 |
| Washington State Income Tax | $0.00 |
| WA Paid Family & Medical Leave | -$605.37 |
| WA Cares Fund | -$435.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $60,552.13 |
What makes Washington W-2 taxation different?
Washington take-home pay at other salaries
| Gross salary | Federal | FICA | PFML + WA Cares | Net annual | Net biweekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $694 | $41,661 | $1,602 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $832 | $49,558 | $1,906 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $1,040 | $60,552 | $2,329 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $1,387 | $77,793 | $2,992 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $2,081 | $111,710 | $4,297 |
Washington is one of nine states with no wage income tax, but it's the only one that pairs that with a mandatory long-term care payroll premium. WA Cares has no wage cap, so a $300,000 earner pays 0.58% on the full amount while their Social Security tax stops at $184,500.
Some workers can opt out of WA Cares. People who bought qualifying private long-term care insurance before November 1, 2021 could apply for a permanent exemption. Since July 2023, conditional exemptions also exist for workers living outside Washington, spouses of active-duty military, temporary workers on non-immigrant visas, and permanent residents of another country. You have to apply through the Employment Security Department and give your employer a copy. Your employer will not do it for you.
Relocating from or to Washington?
Washington vs Oregon: the Vancouver question
If you live in Vancouver and work in Portland, you pay Oregon income tax. If you live in Vancouver and work in Washington, you don't.
Oregon runs four progressive brackets from 4.75% to 9.9%, with the top rate starting at $125,000 of taxable income for single filers, and its standard deduction of $2,910 is a fraction of the federal one. At $75,000 that's about $5,406 a year of state income tax that a Washington worker never pays, even after Washington's PFML and WA Cares premiums.
Washington makes it back on the other side. Combined state and local sales tax runs above 10% in parts of King County, and Washington taxes groceries where Oregon has no sales tax at all. If you spend heavily, the gap narrows. If you save heavily, Washington wins clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Washington have a state income tax?
No. Washington does not tax wage income. It's one of nine states without a wage income tax. Washington does levy a capital gains tax on certain long-term gains above a threshold, but that does not apply to your paycheck.
Why is money still being deducted for Washington on my pay stub?
Two state programs. Paid Family and Medical Leave takes 1.13% of your gross wages in 2026, with employees paying 71.43% of that. WA Cares takes another 0.58%. Together that's about 1.39% of gross, roughly $40 per biweekly check on a $75,000 salary.
Did my Washington paycheck deduction go up in 2026?
Yes. The Paid Family and Medical Leave premium rose from 0.92% to 1.13% on January 1, 2026. On a $75,000 salary that's about $4.30 more per biweekly check than in 2025.
Can I opt out of the WA Cares deduction?
Only in specific cases. A permanent exemption was available to people who held qualifying private long-term care insurance before November 1, 2021. Conditional exemptions cover workers who live outside Washington, military spouses, temporary visa holders, and permanent residents of other countries. You apply through the Employment Security Department, and you must give the approval letter to your employer.
Does Seattle have a city income tax?
No. No city in Washington levies an income tax on wages. Your Seattle paycheck and your Spokane paycheck are calculated identically at the state level. Cost of living differs enormously between them, but the tax math does not.
- Federal baseline calculations: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32.
- FICA caps and limits: Social Security Administration (2026).
- State tax rates: Tax Foundation Individual Income Tax Rates (2026).
- Median household income: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2024).
- Cost of Living Index: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series (2025).
Plan your Washington Budget: The Paycheck Split™
The Paycheck Split™
Divide your take-home pay to plan your budget (Essentials, Lifestyle, Financial Goals).