How to Read Your Paystub
Your paystub contains a lot of information. Here's what every section means and why it matters.
The 5 sections of every paystub
- Earnings — what you earned this period
- Taxes — federal, state, Social Security, Medicare
- Pre-tax deductions — 401(k), HSA, health insurance
- Post-tax deductions — union dues, garnishments, Roth 401(k)
- Net pay — what you actually take home
1. Earnings section
| Line item | What it means |
|---|---|
| Regular hours | Your standard hours at base rate |
| Overtime (OT) | Hours over 8/day or 40/week at 1.5x rate |
| Double time (DT) | Hours over 12/day at 2x rate (California) |
| Shift differential | Extra pay for evening/night/weekend shifts |
| Holiday pay | Premium pay for working holidays |
| PTO/Vacation | Paid time off used this period |
| Gross pay | Total of all earnings above |
2. Taxes
| Tax | Rate | What it funds |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | 10-37% (marginal) | Federal government operations |
| State Income Tax | 0-13.3% (varies by state) | State government (CA: 1-12.3%) |
| Social Security (OASDI) | 6.2% (up to $168,600) | Retirement & disability benefits |
| Medicare | 1.45% (no cap) | Healthcare for 65+ |
| State Disability (SDI) | ~1.1% in CA | Short-term disability insurance |
Total FICA: Social Security (6.2%) + Medicare (1.45%) = 7.65% of your gross pay goes to FICA taxes before you see a dime. Your employer pays another matching 7.65%.
3. Pre-tax deductions
These come out BEFORE taxes are calculated, reducing your taxable income:
- Health/dental/vision insurance — your share of premiums
- Traditional 401(k) / 403(b) — retirement savings
- HSA / FSA — health savings or flexible spending
- Parking / transit — commuter benefits
4. Post-tax deductions
These come out AFTER taxes (don't reduce your tax bill):
- Union dues — typically 1-3% of gross
- Roth 401(k) — after-tax retirement savings
- Life insurance — if over employer-paid limit
- Garnishments — court-ordered deductions
5. Net pay (take-home)
This is the final number — what actually gets deposited in your bank. It equals:
Gross Pay − Taxes − Pre-tax deductions − Post-tax deductions = Net Pay
YTD (Year-to-Date) totals
Most paystubs show a running total for the year. Use these to:
- Track if you're on pace for your expected annual income
- See when you'll hit the Social Security cap ($168,600 in 2024)
- Verify your W-2 at tax time
Compare your pay
Want to see how your take-home compares to others with the same job title? Search the WAGETru database — real verified paychecks from workers at your hospital.
See what real workers take home
WAGETru shows verified paychecks — not estimates. Browse wages · Union lookup · Submit your paystub