Menu burger Close thin Facebook Twitter Google plus Linked in Reddit Email arrow-right-sm arrow-right
Loading
Tap on the profile icon to edit
your financial details.

North Carolina Paycheck Calculator

Your Details Done

Use SmartAsset's paycheck calculator to calculate your take home pay per paycheck for both salary and hourly jobs after taking into account federal, state, and local taxes.

Overview of North Carolina Taxes

North Carolina has a flat income tax rate of 4.75%, meaning all taxpayers pay this rate regardless of their taxable income or filing status. This can make filing state taxes in the state relatively simple, as even if your salary changes, you'll be paying the same rate. No cities in North Carolina have local income taxes.

Work Info
Add your details
Marital Status
Marital Status
Enter your marital status
Do this later
Dismiss
Job
Add your details
Location
Location
Enter your location Do this later
Dismiss
Add your details
Elected State Percentage
Do this later
Dismiss
Add your details
Dependents

Do this later
Dismiss
Add your details
Pay Frequency
Do this later
Dismiss
Add your details
Allowances
Federal
State
Additional State
Local

Do this later
Dismiss
Add your details
Are you exempt from any taxes?
Do this later
Dismiss
Type
Salary (per year)
Dismiss
Hourly Wage
Dismiss

Hours (per pay period)
Dismiss

Overtime Hourly Wage
Dismiss

Overtime Hours (per pay period)
Dismiss

You can't withhold more than your earnings. Please adjust your .

Your estimated -- take home pay:
$--

Where is your money going?
Gross Paycheck $--
Taxes --% $--
Federal Income --% $--
State Income --% $--
Local Income --% $--
FICA and State Insurance Taxes --% $--
Social Security --% $--
Medicare --% $--
State Disability Insurance Tax --% $--
State Unemployment Insurance Tax --% $--
State Family Leave Insurance Tax --% $--
State Workers Compensation Insurance Tax --% $--
Pre-Tax Deductions --% $--
Post-Tax Deductions --% $--
Take Home Salary --% $--
Save more with these rates that beat the National Average
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to find savings account that fit your criteria. Please change your search criteria and try again.
Searching for accounts...
As of
Marketing Disclosure
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to find savings account that fit your criteria. Please change your search criteria and try again.
Searching for accounts...
As of
Marketing Disclosure

Share Your Feedback
How would you rate your experience using this SmartAsset tool?
What is the most important reason for that score? (optional)
Please limit your response to 150 characters or less.
Thank you for your answer! Your feedback is very important to us.

North Carolina Paycheck Calculator

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/Joel Carillet

North Carolina Paycheck Quick Facts

  • North Carolina income tax rate: 4.75%
  • Median household income: $66,186 (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • Number of cities that have local income taxes: 0

How Your North Carolina Paycheck Works

When you get paid in North Carolina, you will notice that money has been withheld from your wages for FICA, federal and state income taxes. FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax is a federal payroll tax paid by both employees and employers. The tax is made up of both Social Security and Medicare taxes. Social Security is taxed at 6.2% of your salary and Medicare at 1.45%. Your employer matches these rates, so the total contribution is doubled. (One thing to keep in mind: If you are self-employed, you are expected to pay the entire amount yourself.) 

If your filing status is single, head of household or qualifying widow(er), wages that exceed $200,000 are subject to a 0.9% Medicare surtax. If you're married and file jointly, the extra tax is applied to wages above $250,000. For married couples filing separately, the tax applies to wages above $125,000. Employers do not match Medicare surtax payments. 

Besides FICA taxes, you will see federal income taxes are also taken out of your paychecks. This money goes to the IRS, where it is counted toward your annual income taxes. How much someone might pay in federal income taxes varies from person to person, and depends on factors such as your salary, marital status and number of dependents.

When you start a new job in North Carolina or any other state, you have to fill out a new W-4 form. Your employer will then use the information you provide on this form to determine how much to withhold for taxes from your paycheck.

The IRS has made significant changes to the Form W-4 in recent years. For starters, the new form removes the option to claim allowances and it applies a five-step process that lets you indicate any additional income.

North Carolina Median Household Income

YearMedian Income
2022$66,186
2021$62,891
2020$60,430
2019$61,159
2018$53,369
2017$49,547
2016$53,764
2015$50,797
2014$46,784
2013$46,337
2012$41,553

Every taxpayer in North Carolina will pay 4.75% of their taxable income in state taxes. North Carolina has not always had a flat income tax rate, though. In 2013, the North Carolina Tax Simplification and Reduction Act radically changed the way the state collected taxes. The act went into full effect in 2014, but before then, North Carolina had a three-bracket progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 6% to 7.75%. The new law introduced a single flat rate of 5.8% and more than doubled the standard deduction for North Carolina taxpayers. The flat income tax has been decreasing each year, going from 4.99% in 2022 to 4.75% in 2023 and 4.5% in 2024.

No cities in North Carolina levy local income taxes.

A financial advisor can help you understand how taxes fit into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

How You Can Affect Your North Carolina Paycheck

North Carolina taxpayers who find themselves facing a large IRS bill each tax season should review their W-4 forms, as there's a simple way to use the form to address this issue. Specifically, you can elect to have an extra dollar amount withheld from each of your paychecks to go toward your taxes. While your paychecks will be slightly smaller, you’ll lower the chances of owing money to Uncle Sam during tax season.

You can also save on taxes by putting your money into pre-tax accounts like a 401(k), 403(b) or health savings account (HSA), provided your employer offers these options. Retirement accounts like a 401(k) and 403(b) not only help you save money for your future, but can also help lower how much you owe in taxes. The money that goes into these accounts comes out of your paycheck before taxes are deducted, so you are effectively lowering your taxable income while saving for the future. HSAs work in a similar manner and you can use the money you put in there toward medical-related expenses like copays or certain prescriptions.

Not yet a North Carolina taxpayer, but planning a move to the state soon? Take a look at our North Carolina mortgage guide for important information about rates and getting a mortgage in the state.

North Carolina Top Income Tax Rate

YearRate
20234.750%
20224.990%
20215.250%
20205.250%
20195.250%
20185.499%
20175.499%
20165.750%
20155.750%
20145.800%
20137.750%