Maine Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your Maine take-home pay after federal tax, FICA, and Maine state income tax. Enter your gross pay, filing status, and pre-tax deductions to see your net pay per paycheck.
2026 standard deduction and personal exemption verified against Tax Foundation 2026 data; bracket thresholds are approximate — verify before launch.
- Take-home$50,863.85 · 78.25%
- Federal tax$5,620.00 · 8.65%
- Social Security + Medicare$4,972.50 · 7.65%
- Maine tax$3,218.65 · 4.95%
- ME PFML$325.00 · 0.50%
| Item | Per bi-week | % of gross |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | 100% |
| Federal withholding | $216.15 | 8.65% |
| Social Security | $155.00 | 6.20% |
| Medicare | $36.25 | 1.45% |
| Maine income tax | $123.79 | 4.95% |
| ME PFML | $12.50 | 0.50% |
| Take-home pay | $1,956.30 | 78.25% |
Living on a paycheck in Maine
Maine's graduated income tax runs from 5.8% up to 7.15%, so even entry-level workers start at a meaningful state rate, while higher earners in Portland and beyond reach the top band. A solid standard deduction softens the impact at lower incomes.
Maine also runs a new Paid Family and Medical Leave program funded partly by employees, adding a small deduction. The calculator above includes it in your estimate.
How Maine taxes are withheld
A Maine paycheck has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) withheld, plus graduated state income tax from 5.8% to 7.15% on taxable income after the standard deduction.
Most Maine workers also contribute to the state's PFML program through a small payroll premium, which trims take-home and appears in the estimate above.
What shapes your take-home in Maine
Because Maine's lowest rate already starts at 5.8%, your effective state rate is relatively high across the income range. As a rough illustration, a single filer earning $75,000 might owe somewhere around $3,900 in Maine income tax for the year, plus the small PFML premium. Your exact net pay is shown above.
Getting the most from each paycheck in Maine
With Maine's rates starting high, pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions are particularly effective at lowering both your federal and state tax. Keep your Maine W-4ME withholding current so you neither overpay nor face a balance due at filing.
How Maine taxes your paycheck
Maine has progressive state income tax rates ranging from 5.8% to 7.15%. Use the calculator above to estimate your take-home pay after all withholdings.
Every US paycheck also has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base), and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% on high earners) withheld. Your taxable income is your gross pay minus pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) and pre-tax health premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is taken out of a paycheck in Maine?
Maine paychecks have federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) withheld, plus progressive (up to 7.15%) state income tax, plus ME PFML. The exact amount depends on your pay, filing status, and pre-tax deductions.
Does Maine have a state income tax?
Yes. Maine levies progressive (up to 7.15%) state income tax in addition to federal taxes.
How is this take-home estimate calculated?
It applies 2026 estimated federal brackets, FICA rates, state income-tax rates, local taxes where configured, and employee payroll-program rates to your annual pay minus pre-tax deductions, then divides by your pay frequency. It is a simplified estimate, not official payroll withholding.