Virginia Paycheck Calculator 2026: VA Tax, FICA & Net Pay
Calculate your take-home pay in Virginia. See how federal tax, VA state tax (2% to 5.75% (4 brackets)), Social Security, and Medicare affect your paycheck. Free, instant, private.
Virginia paycheck quick answer
Virginia has four individual income tax brackets, but the 5.75% top bracket starts at a low taxable-income level. That makes many full-time salaries behave like a near-flat state tax once federal tax, Social Security, and Medicare are layered in.
VA brackets
2%-5.75%
Top bracket starts early
Standard deduction
$8k / $16k
Single / married context
Local income tax
$0
No city wage tax included
Virginia Paycheck Calculator
Your Take-Home Pay Per Paycheck
$2,342.59
Bi-Weekly (26) · $60,907/year · Effective Rate: 24.4%
Gross Pay
$80,615
$3,100.58/check
Federal Tax
-$8,905
11.0% eff.
VA State Tax
-$4,635
5.8% eff.
FICA
-$6,167
SS + Medicare
Net Take-Home
$60,907
75.6% kept
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Per Paycheck | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $3,100.58 | $80,615.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$342.51 | -$8,905.30 |
| Virginia State Tax | -$178.28 | -$4,635.36 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$192.24 | -$4,998.13 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$44.96 | -$1,168.92 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,342.59 | $60,907.29 |
2026 Virginia Paycheck Examples
Use these single-filer examples to sanity-check the calculator before changing inputs. They use 26 biweekly paychecks, the 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base, Medicare, and the VA state model shown on this page.
| Scenario | Gross Salary | Biweekly Take-Home | VA Tax | Total Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 salary | $50,000 | $1,518.46 | $2,875.00 | 21.0% |
| Virginia median | $80,615 | $2,342.59 | $4,635.36 | 24.4% |
| $100,000 salary | $100,000 | $2,824.23 | $5,750.00 | 26.6% |
| $150,000 salary | $150,000 | $4,044.85 | $8,625.00 | 29.9% |
Model note: Virginia uses 2% to 5.75% (4 brackets) in this fast paycheck model. Benefits, pre-tax retirement, health insurance, local wage taxes, and exact withholding elections can change the real paycheck.
Virginia Income Tax Overview
Virginia has a four-bracket progressive income tax with rates from 2% to 5.75%. The top rate kicks in at just $17,001, meaning most workers pay the top rate on the majority of their income. Virginia has a high median income due to proximity to Washington DC and the presence of many federal government jobs and defense contractors. The cost of living is slightly above average at 104%, with Northern Virginia being significantly more expensive than other parts of the state.
Virginia Tax Details
Virginia has 4 tax brackets: 2% on first $3,000, 3% on $3,001-$5,000, 5% on $5,001-$17,000, and 5.75% above $17,000. The top bracket kicks in at a very low threshold, making it essentially a nearly flat tax for most earners. Standard deduction is $8,000 (single) or $16,000 (married). Personal exemption of $930 per person. Virginia does not tax Social Security.
State Tax Rate
5.75%
Median Income
$80,615
Minimum Wage
$12.41/hr
Cost of Living
104%
How the Virginia Paycheck Calculator Works
This calculator estimates your take-home pay in Virginia by deducting federal income tax, Virginia state income tax (2% to 5.75% (4 brackets)), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), and Medicare (1.45% plus 0.9% surtax on high earners).
Start with Gross Salary
Your total annual compensation before any deductions.
Apply Standard Deduction
$16,100 for single filers (2026).
Calculate Federal Tax
Using 2026 marginal tax brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%.
Add VA State Tax
Virginia taxes at 2% to 5.75% (4 brackets). We use 5.75% as the calculator estimate.
Deduct FICA Taxes
Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500) + Medicare (1.45% on all income).
Note: This calculator provides estimates. Actual take-home pay may vary based on pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance), local taxes, and other withholding adjustments.
Virginia Cost of Living
Virginia's cost of living index is 104 (national average = 100). This means living in Virginia is 4% more expensive than the national average. A salary of $80,615 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of about $77,514 in an average-cost area.
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $60,907 annual take-home pay in Virginia has the purchasing power of approximately $58,565 in an average-cost area.
Virginia Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Virginia is $12.41 per hour as of 2026. This is $5.16 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. A full-time minimum wage worker in Virginia (40 hours/week) earns approximately $25,813 per year before taxes.
Hourly
$12.41
Weekly (40h)
$496
Monthly
$2,151
Annual
$25,813
Compare Virginia to Nearby States
See how Virginia's tax rates and cost of living compare to neighboring states.
| State | Income Tax | Min Wage | Cost of Living | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 5.75% | $12.41 | 104% | $80,615 |
| Maryland | 4.75% | $15.00 | 120% | $87,063 |
| District of Columbia | 6.5% | $17.50 | 148% | $90,842 |
| West Virginia | 4.82% | $8.75 | 84% | $50,884 |
| Kentucky | 3.5% | $7.25 | 90% | $57,616 |
Tips to Maximize Your Take-Home Pay in Virginia
- Maximize pre-tax contributions to your 401(k) or 403(b). In 2026, you can contribute up to $24,500 ($31,000 if over 50), reducing your taxable income and both federal and state taxes.
- Use an HSA if you have a high-deductible health plan. HSA contributions ($4,400 individual, $8,750 family in 2026) are pre-tax and reduce your paycheck deductions.
- Use a Dependent Care FSA if you have childcare expenses. You can set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax to pay for daycare or after-school care.
- Consider state-specific deductions. Virginia has a relatively high income tax rate (2% to 5.75% (4 brackets)). Check if you qualify for any state-specific tax credits or deductions that can lower your VA tax burden.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly get large tax refunds, you are giving the IRS an interest-free loan. Adjust your W-4 to keep more money in each paycheck throughout the year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much tax do I pay in Virginia?
In Virginia, you pay both federal and state income taxes plus FICA. The state income tax rate is 2% to 5.75% (4 brackets). On a $80,615 salary filing single, your combined effective tax rate would be approximately 24.7%.
What is the minimum wage in Virginia?
The minimum wage in Virginia is $12.41 per hour as of 2026. This equals approximately $25,812.8 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year). The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour, and Virginia requires employers to pay the higher state rate.
What is the cost of living in Virginia?
Virginia's cost of living index is 104, meaning it is 4% more expensive the national average. The median household income is $80,615. This is near the national average, offering balanced affordability.
How does Virginia's income tax compare to other states?
Virginia's income tax structure is 2% to 5.75% (4 brackets). This is a moderate income tax rate compared to other states. For comparison, nine states have no income tax at all, while California has the highest top rate at 13.3%.