A pay stub shows how your gross pay turns into the amount deposited in your bank account. Read it top to bottom: earnings first, then pre-tax deductions, then taxes, then after-tax deductions, and finally net pay, with year-to-date totals running alongside each line.
Layouts vary between payroll providers, but the building blocks are the same everywhere. Below is a sample stub with real numbers, followed by an explanation of every section, so you know how to read a pay stub and spot anything that looks off.
A sample pay stub
This example is for a single filer in Illinois earning a $56,000 salary, paid semimonthly (24 paychecks a year). They put 5% of pay into a traditional 401(k), pay $90 per paycheck for health insurance pre-tax, and have $10 per paycheck taken after tax for supplemental life insurance. Figures are estimates from the Illinois paycheck calculator. The year-to-date column shows the totals after 10 paychecks.
| Line | This period | Year to date |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay (salary) | $2,333.33 | $23,333.30 |
| 401(k) contribution (pre-tax) | $116.67 | $1,166.70 |
| Medical insurance (pre-tax) | $90.00 | $900.00 |
| Federal income tax | $164.37 | $1,643.70 |
| Social Security (OASDI) | $139.09 | $1,390.90 |
| Medicare | $32.53 | $325.30 |
| Illinois income tax | $99.24 | $992.40 |
| Supplemental life (after-tax) | $10.00 | $100.00 |
| Net pay | $1,681.43 | $16,814.30 |
Out of $2,333.33 in gross pay, $1,681.43 lands in the bank. That's about 72% of gross, with the rest split between savings, insurance and taxes.
Header information
The top of the stub identifies you and the pay period. Check these details each time:
- Pay period dates: the start and end of the period you're being paid for. Many employers pay a few days after the period closes.
- Pay date: when the money is deposited.
- Your name, address and the last digits of your Social Security number: errors here can cause problems with your W-2.
- Filing status and W-4 information: many stubs show the filing status payroll is using. If it doesn't match what you put on your W-4, ask HR.
Earnings: your gross pay
The earnings section lists everything you were paid before deductions. Salaried workers usually see one line. Hourly workers see hours and rates, and sometimes separate lines for overtime, holiday pay, shift differentials, paid time off, bonuses or commissions.
For a salary, gross pay per period is the annual amount divided by the number of paydays: $56,000 ÷ 24 = $2,333.33. If you're paid biweekly instead, you'd divide by 26. Our guide to biweekly vs semimonthly pay explains why those two schedules give different per-check amounts.
For hourly work, multiply each line's hours by its rate and confirm the totals. Overtime should be at least 1.5 times your regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek if you're non-exempt.
Pre-tax deductions and taxable wages
Pre-tax deductions come out before some or all taxes are calculated. That's why many stubs show more than one "taxable wages" figure.
- Traditional 401(k): reduces wages for federal income tax (and most states' income tax) but not for Social Security and Medicare.
- Health, dental and vision premiums under a cafeteria plan: usually reduce wages for income tax and FICA.
- HSA and FSA contributions through payroll: usually reduce both too.
In the sample, federal taxable wages are $2,126.66 ($2,333.33 minus the $116.67 401(k) and the $90 premium). Social Security and Medicare wages are $2,243.33, because the 401(k) doesn't reduce them. If your stub lists these figures, you can check the FICA lines yourself: $2,243.33 × 6.2% = $139.09.
See pre-tax vs after-tax deductions for a fuller list.
Taxes withheld
Federal income tax
This is based on your W-4 and the IRS withholding tables in Publication 15-T. It's an estimate of your annual tax spread across paychecks, not a final bill. Your actual tax is settled when you file your return.
Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
Social Security is often labeled OASDI or "SS" and is 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500. Medicare is 1.45% with no cap. If your wages from one employer pass $200,000 in a year, you'll also see 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax withheld on the amount above that.
State and local income tax
Illinois taxes income at a flat 4.95% after a personal exemption of $2,925. Other states use brackets, and nine states don't tax wages at all. Some localities add their own taxes, such as New York City, Philadelphia, or Ohio municipalities; look for a separate line labeled with the city or county.
State payroll programs
Depending on your state, you may also see disability insurance, paid family leave or unemployment insurance contributions. These have their own rates set by the state. The state calculator pages list which programs apply where.
After-tax deductions
These come out after taxes are calculated, so they don't reduce your taxable wages. Common examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, supplemental life or disability insurance, union dues, charitable giving through payroll, and wage garnishments.
In the sample, $10 for supplemental life insurance comes out after tax. Roth 401(k) contributions are worth a closer look: they appear as a deduction but don't lower your current income tax, which surprises some people when they switch from traditional.
Net pay and year-to-date totals
Net pay is gross pay minus every deduction above. It should match your deposit. If you split your pay across accounts, the stub usually shows how much went to each.
The year-to-date (YTD) column adds up each line since January 1. It's useful for checking how close you are to the 401(k) limit ($24,500 in 2026 for employee deferrals, plus catch-up if eligible), confirming Social Security stops once you hit the wage base, and cross-checking your W-2 in January. Our explainer on what YTD means on a pay stub goes further.
A quick monthly check
- Gross pay matches your salary or hours times rate.
- Benefit deductions match what you chose at enrollment.
- Filing status and any extra withholding match your W-4.
- Social Security is 6.2% and Medicare 1.45% of FICA wages.
- State and local taxes are for the right state and city.
- Net pay matches the deposit.
To see what your paycheck should look like before the stub arrives, enter your salary and deductions in the paycheck calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does OASDI mean on my pay stub?
OASDI stands for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, the official name of Social Security. It's withheld at 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026.
Why are my taxable wages lower than my gross pay?
Pre-tax deductions such as a traditional 401(k), health premiums and HSA contributions are subtracted before income tax is calculated. Some of them also reduce Social Security and Medicare wages.
Is my employer required to give me a pay stub?
Federal law doesn't require pay stubs, but many states do. Your state labor department can tell you what your employer must provide.
How long should I keep my pay stubs?
At minimum, keep them until you've checked them against your W-2 at the end of the year. Many people keep them longer for loan applications or tax records.
Sources
- IRS Publication 15, Employer's Tax Guide
- IRS Topic 751: Social Security and Medicare Withholding Rates
- SSA: Contribution and Benefit Base
- Tax Foundation: State Income Tax Rates for 2026
Run the numbers for your state
Written and checked against IRS, Social Security Administration and state tax agency publications for the 2026 tax year. General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Read our editorial policy, calculation methodology and sources.