Teen Paycheck Calculator

Teen paychecks by the numbers

• Federal minimum wage for tipped and standard workers: $7.25/hour for non-tipped workers (unchanged since 2009 per the FLSA). 30 states plus DC now have higher state minimums, with Washington, California, and New York above $16/hour as of 2026.
• FICA bite on every paycheck: Social Security takes 6.2% and Medicare takes 1.45%, for a flat 7.65% off the top with no income floor. On a $300 weekly check, that is $22.95 gone before any other deduction.
• 2026 standard deduction: $15,350 for a single filer (IRS inflation-indexed estimate). Federal income tax owed on earnings below that is $0, but employer withholding still happens unless a teen claims exempt on the W-4.
• States with no income tax: 9 states (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming). A teen in one of these keeps roughly 92% of gross pay after FICA alone if they owe no federal tax.

What is the federal minimum wage for workers under 18?

The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour for most workers regardless of age. The Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to pay a youth minimum of $4.25/hour for the first 90 calendar days to workers under 20, but most teen jobs pay above this floor. State minimums override federal where they are higher, so a 16-year-old in California earns at least $16/hour in 2026.

How much do teens make at their first job?

Most first jobs for 16- and 17-year-olds pay between $10 and $15 per hour as of 2026, depending on state minimum wage and the type of work. Fast food, retail, and grocery stores typically pay near minimum, while babysitting and lifeguarding often pay $15 to $20/hour. A teen working 15 hours a week at $12/hour earns about $180 gross weekly, or roughly $145 take-home after FICA and federal withholding.

How to Read Your Pay Stub

Your first pay stub can look confusing. Here is what each line means and why it matters.

Gross pay

This is the total you earned before any money comes out. If you worked 20 hours at $12 per hour, your gross pay is $240. Check that the hours and rate match what you expected. Mistakes happen, and catching them early is easier than fixing them later.

Federal income tax

Your employer withholds a percentage based on the W-4 form you filled out when you were hired. Most teens who work part-time have very little withheld. If you earn under $15,350 for the year (the 2026 standard deduction estimate), you technically owe $0 in federal income tax. But the money still gets withheld from each check. You get it back as a refund when you file your tax return.

Social Security (6.2%)

This funds retirement benefits for people who have worked and paid into the system. Every worker pays 6.2% of their gross pay, and your employer pays a matching 6.2%. There is no way to opt out. On a $240 gross paycheck, Social Security takes $14.88.

Medicare (1.45%)

Medicare pays for healthcare for people 65 and older and those with certain disabilities. Like Social Security, everyone pays it and your employer matches your contribution. On that same $240 paycheck, Medicare takes $3.48.

State income tax

Nine states have no income tax at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. If your state does have income tax, it will show as a separate line on your pay stub. Rates for teen-level income typically range from 1% to 5%.

Net pay (take-home)

This is the number that matters day to day. It is your gross pay minus all deductions. This is what hits your bank account or what your check is written for. The gap between gross and net surprises most people on their first paycheck. Now you know why.

What Teens Should Know About Their First Paycheck

Getting your first paycheck is a milestone. But for most teens, the reaction is the same: "Wait, where did the rest of my money go?" About 22-24% of your gross pay goes to various taxes and deductions before you see a dollar. Here is what to expect and what you can do about it.

Keep your pay stubs

Save every pay stub, whether it is paper or digital. You need them to file your tax return, verify your W-2 at year end, and prove income if you apply for a car loan or apartment later. Most employers now provide digital pay stubs through a portal. Screenshot or download them each pay period.

Check your hours every time

Track your hours separately using your phone or a notebook. Compare your records to every pay stub. Payroll errors happen more often than you think, and they almost never happen in your favor. If the hours do not match, talk to your manager before the next pay period.

File a tax return even if you do not owe

Most teens with part-time jobs do not owe federal income tax, but your employer still withholds it. The only way to get that money back is to file a tax return. For someone earning $10,000 per year with 10% federal withholding, that is roughly $1,000 you leave on the table if you do not file. Filing is free through IRS Free File if your income is under $84,000.

Understand the W-4 form

When you start a job, you fill out a W-4 form that tells your employer how much federal tax to withhold. Most teens should claim the standard withholding. If you have only one job and earn under $15,350, you can write "exempt" on your W-4 to skip federal withholding entirely. But only do this if you are sure your total income for the year will stay below that threshold.

How Much Will I Actually Take Home?

Here is a quick reference for common teen work situations. These assume biweekly pay, no state income tax, and standard federal withholding.

The deductions column includes estimated federal tax (10%), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). State tax, if applicable, would reduce take-home further. Use the calculator above for your exact numbers.