Washington Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay in Washington state. Washington has no state income tax, but employees do pay into WA Paid Family & Medical Leave and WA Cares Fund. Free, instant, and accurate.
Washington Paycheck Calculator
2025 tax year · estimate
How Washington affects your paycheck
Washington is one of 9 states with no state income tax. However, unlike Tennessee or Texas, Washington has two mandatory payroll programs that reduce your take-home pay:
- Federal income tax (10%–37%)
- Social Security (6.2% up to $176,100)
- Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% over $200k)
- WA Paid Family & Medical Leave (~0.81% employee share)
- WA Cares Fund (0.58%)
Combined, the WA programs add about 1.39% to your paycheck deductions beyond what you'd pay in a zero-tax state like Tennessee or Texas.
Washington payroll programs (2025)
| Program | Total Rate | Employee Share | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid Family & Medical Leave | 1.13% | ~0.81% | Employee pays ~71.43% of total; no wage base cap |
| WA Cares Fund | 0.58% | 0.58% | Employee-paid; opt-out available for qualifying private LTC insurance |
Total employee cost: ~1.39% of gross wages. For a $3,000 biweekly paycheck, that's about $41.63.
Example: $3,000 biweekly paycheck in Washington
Scenario: $200 401(k), $150 health insurance
No state income tax. WA programs are small but mandatory. Amounts are per pay period.
Who uses this calculator
Washington employees
Verify your paycheck and understand PFML + WA Cares deductions.
Seattle tech workers
High earners in WA save significantly vs. California or Oregon. See the actual numbers.
People moving to WA
Compare your current take-home pay against WA's no-income-tax advantage.
Oregon commuters
WA residents working in Oregon still owe OR income tax. Use this for WA-based jobs.
WA Cares opt-out questions
See how much WA Cares costs you per paycheck and decide if exemption applies.
Remote workers
Thinking of relocating to WA for the tax advantage? See your potential savings.
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington state have an income tax?
No. Washington has no state income tax on wages, salaries, or other earned income. There is a capital gains tax (7% on gains over $250k) that went into effect in 2023, but it does not apply to ordinary paycheck income.
What is WA Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)?
PFML is a mandatory state insurance program. The total premium is 1.13% of gross wages, split between employer (~28.57%) and employee (~71.43%). Your employee share is approximately 0.81% of gross pay. This funds paid leave for family and medical situations.
What is WA Cares Fund?
WA Cares is a long-term care insurance program. Employees pay 0.58% of gross wages with no cap. There is an opt-out available if you had qualifying private long-term care insurance before November 1, 2021.
Can I opt out of WA Cares?
You can apply for an exemption if you purchased qualifying long-term care insurance before November 1, 2021. Out-of-state workers who don't work in Washington may also be exempt. Once exempted, you cannot opt back in.
What taxes are deducted from a Washington paycheck?
Washington employees pay federal income tax (10%–37%), Social Security (6.2% up to $176,100), Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% over $200k), WA PFML (~0.81% employee share), and WA Cares (0.58%). No state income tax.
Does Washington have local income taxes?
No. Washington has no local or municipal income taxes. The state relies on sales tax (6.5% state + local), business & occupation (B&O) tax, and property taxes for revenue.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator provides a close estimate based on 2025 federal tax rates and WA program rates. Since Washington has no state income tax, the calculation is simpler. PFML and WA Cares rates may be updated annually.
How does Washington compare to Oregon?
Oregon has a top income tax rate of 9.9%, making it one of the highest. Washington workers take home significantly more per paycheck. However, Oregon has no sales tax, while Washington has a combined sales tax of 8–10.5% depending on locality.