About WageCal.com
Our Mission
WageCal.com exists to make US wage and salary calculations free, accurate, and private for everyone — job seekers, current employees, freelancers, and anyone planning a cross-state move. We believe that understanding your true take-home pay should not require expensive software, account registration, or surrendering your personal data.
What We Do
We provide a suite of 7 free wage calculation tools that help you:
- Convert hourly wage to annual, monthly, and weekly salary (and reverse)
- Estimate monthly net (after-tax) pay using 2026 federal tax brackets and all 50 state tax rates
- Calculate FLSA-compliant overtime pay at 1.5× and 2× rates
- Compare take-home pay between two US states to inform relocation decisions
- See how 401(k) and HSA contributions affect your monthly taxable wage and net pay
- Model part-time income for students, gig workers, and side hustles
- Compare total compensation between an hourly job offer and a salaried position
Data Sources & Accuracy
We use data from official US government sources, updated annually:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): State and national average hourly wage data
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): 2026 federal income tax brackets, standard deduction amounts, and FICA rates
- Department of Labor (DOL): FLSA overtime rules and minimum wage thresholds
- State Department of Revenue: 50-state individual income tax rates and brackets
- Tax Foundation: State tax policy context and local tax data
While we strive for accuracy, tax laws change frequently. Always verify rates with official sources before making financial decisions.
Privacy-First Design
Unlike many calculator sites, WageCal.com processes all calculations in your web browser. Your hourly wage, salary, tax status, and 401(k) contribution data never leave your device and are never stored on any server. We do not require registration, and we do not sell or share any personal information (because we do not collect any).
Who We Serve
Our tools are designed for:
- Job seekers: Comparing offers and understanding real take-home pay
- Current employees: Planning 401(k) contributions and understanding paycheck deductions
- Cross-state movers: Quantifying the take-home pay impact of relocating to a different state
- Students & part-time workers: Understanding how part-time hours translate to monthly income
- Freelancers & gig workers: Converting irregular hourly income to monthly budget planning figures
Editorial & Data Integrity
Every figure on WageCal.com is researched from primary government sources and reviewed before publication. Our editorial process includes:
- Source-first research: Tax brackets, standard deductions, FICA rates, and minimum wages are taken from IRS, Social Security Administration, and each state's Department of Revenue publications for the 2026 tax year.
- Annual review: We review all 50-state rates and federal figures each January when agencies publish updated numbers, and we display the "Last updated" date on every page so readers can see how current the data is.
- Corrections: If a rate changes mid-year or an error is found, we update the affected page and revise its "Last updated" date. To report a correction, email [email protected].
- Independent publisher: WageCal.com is part of a network of free calculation tools — MoveCostCalc.com, StudLoanCalc.com, RetirePlanCalc.com, and CreditPayCalc.com — built and maintained by the same team.
WageCal.com is an informational resource, not a licensed tax, legal, or financial advisor. For decisions with significant financial impact, consult a qualified professional.
Who Maintains WageCal.com
WageCal.com is built and maintained by a small, focused team whose only job is free, accurate calculation tools. The work splits into three roles:
- Calculator engineering — designs and tests the in-browser math so every tool works without a server or an account.
- Tax & data research — tracks federal and 50-state rate changes from the IRS, SSA, and state Departments of Revenue, and updates the underlying data each January.
- Editorial review — checks every figure, example, and guide against primary sources before publication and after any mid-year change.
We are an independent publisher in a small network of free calculators — MoveCostCalc.com, StudLoanCalc.com, RetirePlanCalc.com, and CreditPayCalc.com — built and maintained by the same team.
How Our Calculations Work
Every WageCal calculator runs a gross-to-net engine entirely in your web browser using JavaScript — your inputs never leave your device. For a given gross wage we apply, in order:
- Federal income tax using the 2026 IRS brackets and standard deduction for your filing status.
- FICA at 6.2% Social Security (up to the annual cap) plus 1.45% Medicare.
- State income tax using the correct 2026 brackets or flat rate for all 50 states, including no-income-tax states.
We show marginal vs. effective rates clearly, and we model pre-tax 401(k) and HSA deductions where applicable. What we deliberately do not model: state disability insurance (SDI) payroll deductions, city or county income taxes, itemized deductions, and certain credits. Those vary by location and circumstance, so we flag them and recommend confirming with the relevant agency. The result is an estimate for planning, not filing advice.
Data Provenance & Review
Our numbers come from primary government sources: the Internal Revenue Service (federal brackets, standard deduction, FICA), the Social Security Administration (FICA caps), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (wages, cost-of-living), and each state Department of Revenue (income-tax rates, minimum wage). We perform a full review every January when agencies publish updated figures, and we display a "Last updated" date on every page so you can see how current the data is. If a rate changes mid-year, we update the affected page and revise its date.
Contact
Questions, suggestions, or bug reports? Please reach out at [email protected]. We aim to respond within 2 business days.