Salary Calculator (Net vs. Gross) — Global

Understanding net vs. gross salary

Gross salary is the total amount you earn before deductions. Net salary—often called take-home pay—is what actually arrives in your account after taxes and other deductions are subtracted. Knowing both helps you compare offers fairly, plan budgets, and set realistic savings goals.

Note: This calculator provides directional guidance using baseline rates. Actual results vary by city, benefits, filing status, and progressive tax thresholds.

What gets deducted from gross salary

• Mandatory taxes: Income tax, social security, and other statutory withholdings based on your country.
• Benefits and contributions: Health insurance premiums, pension or retirement contributions, unemployment insurance.
• Employer-specific items: Union fees, company benefit top-ups, or local levies when applicable.

How the calculation works globally

• Country baseline rates: Each country is mapped to a conservative baseline for taxes and standard deductions to create a fast estimate.
• Forward and reverse math: From gross, we subtract taxes and deductions to get net. From net, we divide by the complement of combined rates to estimate gross.
• Pay period conversion: We normalize annual, monthly, and weekly values so you can compare apples-to-apples across offers.

Quick tips for students and professionals

• Compare total compensation: Consider bonuses, stock, and benefits alongside base pay; net pay alone can be misleading.
• Check local specifics: Cities can impose additional taxes or offer credits—confirm with official tax guidance or a payroll expert.
• Budget with buffers: Use slightly lower net-pay assumptions to protect your monthly cash flow from surprises.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Comparing gross across countries: A higher gross in one region can deliver lower net after taxes and contributions.
• Ignoring benefits’ value: Employer-paid healthcare or pensions can be worth significant cash each month.
• Forgetting pay periods: Ensure you compare annual-to-annual or monthly-to-monthly when evaluating offers.