Calculate Your North Carolina Take-Home Pay

Looking for an accurate North Carolina paycheck calculator? Our NC salary tax calculator helps you determine your exact take-home pay after all deductions. North Carolina uses a flat 4.75% state income tax in 2026, which means every dollar of taxable income is taxed at the same rate. This makes calculating your North Carolina paycheck more straightforward than states with progressive tax brackets.

Whether you're evaluating a job offer in Charlotte, Raleigh, or anywhere else in the Tar Heel State, understanding your North Carolina take-home pay is essential for financial planning. Our North Carolina paycheck calculator accounts for federal income tax, North Carolina's 4.75% flat tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and common pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance.

Because we maintain federal, FICA, and North Carolina withholding tables for every filing status, the calculator instantly shows both per-paycheck and annual net pay. Toggle between salary and hourly pay, include pre-tax deductions such as 401(k), HSA, or health insurance, and watch the tool recompute your North Carolina take-home pay immediately.

Quick North Carolina tax facts

  • North Carolina taxes all taxable wages at 4.75%.
  • Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholding apply in every state, including North Carolina.
  • You can pre-fill the calculator by visiting https://mynetpay.org/?state=NC#calculator.
  • Local payroll taxes may apply in certain North Carolina cities or counties—add them after reviewing your pay stub.

How to Use the North Carolina Paycheck Calculator

Using our North Carolina paycheck calculator is simple. Follow these steps to calculate your NC take-home pay:

  1. Enter your income: Select salary or hourly pay and enter your gross income. For example, if you earn $70,000 per year or $35 per hour in North Carolina, enter that amount.
  2. Select North Carolina: Choose North Carolina as your state (using ?state=NC in the URL fills it in automatically). This ensures the 4.75% flat tax rate is applied correctly.
  3. Add your details: Pick your pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly) and filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), then add any 401(k), HSA, or health insurance deductions.
  4. Get your results: Click "Calculate My Paycheck" and review the detailed breakdown showing your North Carolina take-home pay, including federal income tax, North Carolina state tax (4.75%), FICA taxes, and your final net pay.

The North Carolina paycheck calculator is especially useful for comparing job offers, planning your budget, or understanding how pre-tax deductions affect your North Carolina take-home pay. The 4.75% flat tax means state tax calculations are consistent regardless of income level.

North Carolina Local Taxes and Your Take-Home Pay

When calculating your North Carolina take-home pay, it's important to note that North Carolina does not allow local income taxes at the city or county level. Unlike states like Pennsylvania or Ohio, North Carolina only collects state income tax (4.75%) and federal taxes, which simplifies your North Carolina paycheck calculation.

However, some North Carolina municipalities may impose local sales taxes or property taxes, but these don't directly affect your paycheck. Your North Carolina paycheck calculator results will show your take-home pay after federal income tax, North Carolina's 4.75% state tax, and FICA taxes only.

This makes North Carolina an attractive state for workers who want to maximize their take-home pay, as the flat 4.75% state tax is relatively moderate, and there are no additional local income taxes reducing your paycheck.

Example: North Carolina Paycheck Calculation

Let's calculate the North Carolina take-home pay for someone earning $80,000 per year in North Carolina, filing as married filing jointly, with a 6% 401(k) contribution:

  • Gross annual salary: $80,000
  • 401(k) contribution (6%): $4,800 (pre-tax)
  • Federal taxable income: ~$75,200 (after standard deduction)
  • Federal income tax: ~$6,800
  • FICA taxes (Social Security + Medicare): $6,120
  • North Carolina state tax (4.75%): $3,800
  • North Carolina take-home pay (annual): $59,480
  • Bi-weekly North Carolina paycheck: ~$2,288

This example demonstrates how the North Carolina paycheck calculator works. The 4.75% flat tax means state tax is easy to calculate, but federal taxes vary based on filing status and income level.

2026 Planning Tips for North Carolina Employees

  • Update your W-4: If you want to adjust your North Carolina take-home pay, update your W-4 if you picked up a second job, got married, or expect significant itemized deductions in 2026.
  • Maximize pre-tax benefits: Leverage pre-tax benefits—every dollar you contribute to a 401(k) or HSA reduces both federal and North Carolina taxable income, increasing your take-home pay.
  • Track Social Security wage base: Track your year-to-date taxable wages. Once you hit the Social Security wage base ($168,600 in 2025), your North Carolina take-home pay will increase because OASDI withholding stops for the rest of the year.
  • No local taxes: Remember that North Carolina doesn't have local income taxes, so your state tax burden is simply the 4.75% flat rate, making budgeting easier.

Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Paycheck Calculator

What percentage of my salary goes to taxes in North Carolina?

Your total tax burden in North Carolina depends on your income level and filing status. For most workers earning $50,000-$100,000, expect to pay approximately 24-30% in combined federal, state, and FICA taxes. North Carolina's 4.75% flat tax is moderate compared to other states, and there are no local income taxes.

How much will I take home from a $70,000 salary in North Carolina?

For a $70,000 salary in North Carolina (married filing jointly, no pre-tax deductions), your North Carolina take-home pay would be approximately $52,000-$54,000 annually, or about $2,000-$2,080 per bi-weekly paycheck. This includes federal income tax (~$5,500), FICA taxes (~$5,355), and North Carolina state tax (~$3,325).

Does North Carolina have local income taxes?

No, North Carolina does not allow local income taxes at the city or county level. Your North Carolina paycheck will only have federal taxes, the 4.75% state tax, and FICA taxes deducted. This makes calculating your North Carolina take-home pay simpler than in states with local taxes.

Calculate Your North Carolina Take-Home Pay Now

Use our free North Carolina paycheck calculator to get your exact NC take-home pay. Open the calculator with North Carolina pre-selected and model salary, hourly, bonus, or commission income in seconds.

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