How does the Maryland paycheck calculator work?
It estimates your net take-home pay by subtracting the main payroll deductions from your gross income. Here's what it accounts for:
- Federal income tax, calculated using 2026 marginal tax brackets and the updated standard deduction ($16,100 single / $24,150 head of household / $32,200 married filing jointly, per the OBBB Act).
- Maryland state income tax, progressive brackets ranging from 2%–6.5%, after subtracting the MD personal exemption ($3,200).
- Social Security (FICA), 6.2% of wages up to the $184,500 cap.
- Medicare, 1.45% of all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on income above $200,000 (single / HoH) or $250,000 (married).
- Pre-tax deductions, optional 401(k) and HSA contributions that reduce your federal taxable income.
The result is then divided by your chosen pay frequency to show the per-paycheck amount. You can enter your salary as an annual amount or as an hourly wage.
Tip: Some localities in Maryland impose additional income or wage taxes. This calculator covers federal and state taxes, check with your city or county for any local tax obligations.
Maryland income tax: what you need to know
Maryland uses a progressive (graduated) income tax with rates ranging from 2%–6.5%. Higher earners pay a higher marginal rate, but only on income within each bracket, not on all income.
Compared to neighboring states: Virginia ranges from 2% to 5.75%, West Virginia ranges from 2.11% to 4.58%, Delaware ranges from 0% to 6.6%, Pennsylvania charges 3.07%. Understanding these differences matters when comparing take-home pay between states.
Maryland also offers a personal exemption of $3,200 for 2026, which reduces your state taxable income before the brackets are applied.
Maryland's standard deduction is 15% of Maryland adjusted gross income, with a minimum of $1,800 and maximum of $3,350 for single filers.
Note on Maryland payroll tax: As an employer or self-employed individual in Maryland, you should know that Maryland payroll taxes include the standard FICA obligations (Social Security + Medicare) plus state income tax withholding (up to 6.5%). Some localities may also impose additional taxes. Our calculator covers the employee side of these deductions.
Who benefits most from Maryland's tax structure?
Where you live in Maryland matters more than in most states: every county plus Baltimore City levies its own local income tax (2.25%–3.2%) on top of the state brackets, so two Maryland workers with identical salaries can see meaningfully different take-home pay depending on which county withholds their local tax.
Maryland paycheck tax breakdown
Here's a summary of each tax that comes out of your Maryland paycheck. This Maryland salary tax breakdown applies whether you use the annual salary or hourly wage mode:
Federal Income Tax
10%–37%
Marginal brackets
Maryland State Tax
2%–6.5%
Progressive brackets; $3,200 exemption
Social Security
6.2%
Wage base limit 2026
Medicare
1.45%+
+0.9% above $200k/$250k
Local Taxes
Varies
Maryland counties and Baltimore City levy a local income tax of 2.25%–3.2% on top of the state rate, withheld by your employer based on your county of residence.
2026 Federal income tax brackets
Federal income tax uses a progressive system, you pay a higher rate only on income within each bracket. Standard deductions updated per the OBBB Act (July 2025). These brackets apply to all states, including when you use this Maryland paycheck calculator for 2026.
Standard deduction: $16,100
| Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $12,400 | 10% |
| $12,400 – $50,400 | 12% |
| $50,400 – $105,700 | 22% |
| $105,700 – $201,775 | 24% |
| $201,775 – $256,225 | 32% |
| $256,225 – $640,600 | 35% |
| $640,600+ | 37% |
Example calculation
Let's walk through a single filer earning $75,000/year paid bi-weekly, with no 401(k) or HSA contributions:
- Federal standard deduction: $75,000 − $16,100 = $58,900 taxable income
- Federal tax: Applied using 2026 marginal brackets = ≈ $7,670
- Maryland state tax: Progressive brackets (2%–6.5%) = ≈ $3,199
- FICA: (6.2% + 1.45%) × $75,000 = $5,738
Result: $75,000 − $16,606 = $58,394/year → ≈ $2,246 per paycheck (bi-weekly)
Take-home pay for common Maryland salaries
Here's a quick-reference table showing estimated annual and bi-weekly take-home pay for common salaries in Maryland (single filer, 1 exemption, no 401k/HSA). Use the Maryland salary calculator above to get a precise estimate for your specific situation.
| Gross Salary | Total Tax | Annual Net | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $7,216 | $32,784 | $1,261 |
| $50,000 | $9,656 | $40,344 | $1,552 |
| $60,000 | $12,096 | $47,904 | $1,842 |
| $75,000 | $16,606 | $58,394 | $2,246 |
| $100,000 | $25,206 | $74,794 | $2,877 |
| $125,000 | $33,917 | $91,084 | $3,503 |
| $150,000 | $43,125 | $106,875 | $4,111 |
Estimates based on 2026 tax brackets, MD progressive rates (2%–6.5%), 1 personal exemption. Your actual take-home may differ based on filing status, dependents, and pre-tax contributions.
Take-home on $75,000: Maryland vs. neighboring states
Cross a border and the same $75,000 salary changes size. A single filer nets $58,394 in Maryland; among its neighbors, the same paycheck stretches furthest in Pennsylvania ($59,290) and thinnest in Delaware ($57,874):
| State | Annual net | Effective rate | vs MD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland (this page) | $58,394 | 22.1% | — |
| Pennsylvania | $59,290 | 20.9% | +$896 |
| West Virginia | $59,047 | 21.3% | +$653 |
| District of Columbia | $58,164 | 22.4% | −$230 |
| Virginia | $58,094 | 22.5% | −$300 |
| Delaware | $57,874 | 22.8% | −$520 |
Single filer, 2026 rates, standard deduction, 1 exemption where applicable, no pre-tax deductions or local taxes — same assumptions as the tables above. State taxes are one factor; cost of living, property and sales taxes also differ.
Marginal vs. effective tax rate
Marginal rate: your last dollar
On a $75,000 single-filer salary in Maryland, the next dollar you earn is taxed at the 22% federal bracket plus Maryland's marginal state rate (within 2%–6.5%).
Effective rate: what you actually pay
Total tax ÷ gross income. That same Maryland earner pays $16,606 in combined federal, state, and FICA taxes, an effective rate of 22.1%, well below the marginal headline.
The calculator shows your effective total rate next to the annual net figure; the marginal rate is what matters when weighing a raise, bonus, or an extra 401(k) dollar. For the full explainer with bracket charts, see 2026 tax brackets explained.
2025 vs. 2026: what changed?
Key differences affecting your Maryland paycheck:
Std. deduction (single)
Std. deduction (married)
SS wage base
On the state side, this calculator applies Maryland's current 2026 brackets (2%–6.5%). Several states adjusted their rates for 2026, so state-side year-over-year changes vary; the federal changes above apply to every Maryland worker either way, and the larger standard deduction means slightly more take-home at the same salary than in 2025.
FAQs
What is the Maryland state income tax rate?
Maryland uses a progressive income tax with rates ranging from 2%–6.5%. Higher earners pay a higher marginal rate on income within each bracket.
Does Maryland have local income taxes?
Yes. Maryland counties and Baltimore City levy a local income tax of 2.25%–3.2% on top of the state rate, withheld by your employer based on your county of residence. Note that this calculator does not include local taxes, check with your municipality for exact rates.
How much is taken out of my paycheck in Maryland?
For a typical $75,000 salary (single filer), approximately 22.1% goes to taxes. This includes federal income tax, Maryland state tax (2%–6.5%), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). Use our Maryland paycheck calculator above for your exact deductions.
What is the tax percentage in Maryland?
The Maryland state income tax rate is 2%–6.5%. On top of that, you'll pay federal income tax (10%–37% depending on your bracket), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). Combined, most Maryland workers pay an effective total tax rate between 20% and 30% depending on income.
Does Maryland tax Social Security or retirement income, and are there other state payroll deductions?
Maryland does not tax Social Security benefits. Pension, 401(k), and IRA withdrawals are generally taxed as ordinary income, though Maryland offers a pension exclusion for qualifying retirees 65 and older. There is no statewide disability or paid-family-leave payroll deduction currently in effect.
What is the Maryland personal exemption?
Maryland provides a personal exemption of $3,200 for single filers. This reduces your state taxable income before the 2%–6.5% rate is applied.
How do I calculate my bi-weekly paycheck?
Divide your annual take-home pay by 26 (the number of bi-weekly pay periods in a year). For example, a $75,000 salary with $58,394 net → approximately $2,246 per paycheck. You can also switch to weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly frequency using the dropdown in the calculator above.
How accurate is this calculator?
This is a solid estimate using 2026 federal tax brackets, OBBB-updated standard deductions, MD state tax rates, and Additional Medicare Tax. It does not account for itemized deductions, tax credits (like EITC or child tax credit), non-wage income, or local taxes. For tax planning purposes, it provides a reliable paycheck estimate for Maryland workers.
General paycheck questions, federal withholding, the Social Security wage base, how 401(k) contributions cut your tax, are answered on the take-home pay calculator and in 2026 tax brackets explained.
More Maryland calculators
Explore other free Maryland money calculators, all using the same 2026 federal and Maryland state tax data:
Paycheck calculators for other states
Paycheck calculators by state
Click any state to view its paycheck calculator. Green states have no income tax.
Moving to a different state or comparing your Maryland take-home pay? Use our free paycheck calculators for other popular states:
All calculators are free, require no signup, and are updated for 2026 tax brackets.