What You Actually Take Home From a $200,000 Salary in Every State
Making a $200,000 salary puts you in a rare category of earners in the U.S. However, while that number sure looks juicy on paper, all of it won’t show up in your bank account. Taxes will take a big bite out of your take-home pay, and that bite can be a lot bigger depending on your state.
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State income taxes vary wildly, so the percentage of that $200,000 you get to actually put in your pocket varies from state to state. For example, you’ll keep a lot more of your paycheck in states like South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming. You’ll see a lot less of your paycheck in states like Oregon, California and Hawaii.
GOBankingRates pulled federal and state tax data from the Tax Foundation’s 2023 data and calculated using an in-house paycheck calculator to see which states offered the highest take-home pay rates after taxes. We also looked at the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax, sourced from the Social Security Administration. Here’s how much take-home pay you can expect from an income of $200,000 in all 50 states in alphabetical order.
Alabama
Take-home pay: $139,776
Alabama’s state income tax rate is moderate, meaning you’ll keep almost $140,000 on your salary of $200,000.
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Alaska
Take-home pay: $149,586
If you want to keep a big chunk of your $200,000 salary, consider living in Alaska. With no state income tax, Alaskans earning $200,000 can expect to bring home almost $150,000 among the highest take-home rates in the nation.
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Arizona
Take-home pay: $144,932
Residents in the Valley of the Sun enjoy very low state taxes, of around 2.5%, and keep a decent chunk of their income, too.
Arkansas
Take-home pay: $140,060
Even though Arkansas residents earn less than the average American income overall, those who take home a high salary face a steep state income tax rate of 5.64%.
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California
Take-home pay: $134,716
True to its reputation as a high-tax state, California slaps a high tax rate of 9.3% on both single and joint filers earning $200,000 in the Golden State.
Colorado
Take-home pay: $141,395
Colorado residents earning $200,000 can expect to take home a good amount from their paychecks. Workers in the Centennial State pay a flat 4.40% income tax on all of their taxable income, regardless of the amount.
Connecticut
Take-home pay: $138,536
Although Connecticut has a high top-end state income tax rate of 6.50% for the highest earning residents. Residents earning $200,000 still face a 6.5% state tax, which is enough to bring the take-home pay down to slightly below the national average.
Delaware
Take-home pay: $137,617
Delaware’s graduated state income tax rate jumps up quickly, peaking out at 6.6% for both single and joint filers. This large tax bite is enough to drag Delaware down to the bottom-third when it comes to ranking take-home pay.
Florida
Take-home pay: $149,586
The Sunshine State takes the crown when it comes to take-home pay, with residents earning $200,000 keeping a whopping $159,465, tops in the nation. Although the state has to share this title with eight others, it’s not likely to lose its ranking as long as it remains free of state income tax.
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Georgia
Take-home pay: $138,569
High earners in Georgia don’t get to keep as much of their pay as the average American due to the rapidly graduated state tax schedule. Georgians making $200,000 are bi-monthly taking home a net paycheck of $5,329.58.
Hawaii
Take-home pay: $133,427
Living in paradise carries a high cost. In addition to paying more for basic commodities from food to fuel, residents of the great state of Hawaii face the second-highest tax rate in the country at 11 percent. Workers earning $200,000 pay the full 10% rate if they are single filers, while the rate is a still-high 8.08% for joint filers.
Idaho
Take-home pay: $138,789
Due to the high state tax rates, Idaho residents earning top salaries get to keep less of it than the average American. The state tax rate is 5.8%. However, Idaho residents still take home nearly $140,000.
Illinois
Take-home pay: $139,686
If you’re a high earner in Illinois, your take-home pay will be pretty decent. Illinois’s state income tax rate is a flat 4.95%, regardless of income, which isn’t particularly onerous overall.
Indiana
Take-home pay: $143,286
Indiana has a moderate flat tax of just 3.15% on all residents, regardless of income. High earners pulling down $200,000 per year can expect to take home a decent $143,286. Indianans will see a bi-monthly net paycheck of $5,511.00.
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Iowa
Take-home pay: $138,100
Iowa residents also see a decent amount of their income after taxes. Unfortunately, high earners bear the brunt of one of the higher state tax rates in the country; both single and joint filers pay 6.00% of their income.
Kansas
Take-home pay: $138,843
If you’re driving cross-country, Kansas is just about in the middle of the road — and the same is true when it comes to its total tax rate for high earners. The state’s tax rate is 5.7%.
Kentucky
Take-home pay: $140,711
The land of bluegrass, thoroughbreds and bourbon carries some above-average tax rates. Graduated state tax income rates hit 4.5%, regardless of filing status. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes amounts to 24.71%.
Louisiana
Take-home pay: $141,667
High-income workers in the Bayou State take home a bit more than other states. A moderate top state income tax rate of 4.25% applies to single filers and joint filers alike. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is 44.15%.
Maine
Take-home pay: $136,741
A relatively high state income tax deduction isn’t enough to offset Maine’s high tax rates when it comes to take-home pay. Maine residents pay a higher 7.15%.
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Maryland
Take-home pay: $139,708
Taxpayers might burst out the state song of “Maryland, My Maryland” when they first see their tax bill from the state. Residents earning $200,000 take home nearly $140,000 after taxes. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $30.15%
Massachusetts
Take-home pay: $139,586
Massachusetts has a reputation as being a high-tax state, but the take-home pay for a $200,000 earner is similar to many other states. A flat state income tax rate of 5% applies to all incomes, meaning every dollar of a $200,000 earner’s income is fair game.
Michigan
Take-home pay: $141,086
High-income Michigan residents take home more of their pay than the average American thanks to a flat 4.25% state income tax rate. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $58,914 or 29.46%.
Minnesota
Take-home pay: $136,388
Minnesotans are among the fittest Americans according to numerous studies, and their take-home checks are a bit lean as well. Residents earning $200,000 take home a bit less pay than other states due to a higher tax rate here, of 9.85%. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $63,612 or 31.81%
Mississippi
Take-home pay: $140,201
Residents in Mississippi can take home more of their $200,000 than some other states. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $59,799 or 29.90%. The result is more than $140,000.
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Missouri
Take-home pay: $140,541
Residents of the Show-Me State might want to shout, “Show me the money” when looking at their take-home pay rates. For $200,000 earners, the net take-home pay of $140,541 is a bit less than other states. The state’s top income tax rate is 4.95%. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $59,459 or 29.73%.
Montana
Take-home pay: $137,116
Montana income tax is a fairly steep 6.75%, netting residents less than other states. Those fortunate enough to earn $200,000 will have to fork over a significant chunk of that income to the state government, resulting in a well below-average net take-home pay. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $62,884 or 31.45%.
Nebraska
Take-home pay: $137,784
There’s nothing middle-America about Nebraska’s tax rates, which hit 6.64%. Taxes are enough to drag down the take-home pay for a $200,000 earner to the bottom quarter of the country. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $62,216 or 31.11%.
Nevada
Take-home pay: $149,586
As one of the few states without an income tax, Nevada residents earning $200,000 take home the highest net pay in the country, tied with eight other states. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $50,414 or 25.21%.
New Hampshire
Take-home pay: $149,586
New Hampshire taxes interest and dividend income, but all other income is tax-free. As a result, New Hampshire is one of the nine states that has the highest take-home pay on an income of $200,000, at $159,465. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $50,414 or 25.21%.
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New Jersey
Take-home pay: $138,970
New Jersey has lower overall tax rates than its famous neighbor, New York, but not by much. In fact, New Jersey’s top state income tax rate of 6.37% is actually higher than New York’s. However, tax rates in the lower brackets are not as high, bringing the state’s overall tax liability down a notch. Things are not as rosy for property owners, as the state is saddled with the highest property taxes in the nation.
New Mexico
Take-home pay: $140,744
New Mexico has a fairly low state income tax rate, which peaks at 4.9%. Take-home pay for high earners in New Mexico is about average. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $59,256 or 29.63%.
New York
Take-home pay: $138,634
New York is notorious for having high state and local income taxes, and the rumor isn’t that far from reality. New York ranks among the lowest on this list when it comes to take-home pay for those earning at least $200,000. The state’s top tax rate is 6%.
North Carolina
Take-home pay: $140,692
State taxes are straightforward in North Carolina. A flat rate of 4.75% applies to all incomes. This means that someone earning $200,000 in North Carolina must pay tax at that rate on all of their income.
North Dakota
Take-home pay: $145,985
North Dakota is among the states where you can take home more income for $200,000 earners, though it’s not the highest. With a slowly graduated, low-rate tax system that only tops out at 2.27%, state tax obligations remain low even for the highest earners.
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Ohio
Take-home pay: $143,309
Take-home pay is in the top-third in Ohio for top earners, where a $200,000 earner can expect to take home over $143,000. Ohioans earning $200,000 will be in the 3.99% state income tax bracket.
Oklahoma
Take-home pay: $140,576
Oklahoma’s graduated state income tax schedule reaches its top rate of 4.75% relatively quickly. Standard deductions and personal exemptions help take some of the bite out of that rate, resulting in an about-average net take-home pay for $200,000 earners. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $59,424 or 29.71%.
Oregon
Take-home pay: $131,766
Perhaps surprisingly, Oregon residents earning $200,000 have the lowest take-home pay amount in the nation. A combination of low deductions and personal exemptions, along with a high tax rate, are enough to do the trick. Its top rate is a very high 9.90%.
Pennsylvania
Take-home pay: $143,446
Residents of the Keystone State are right on the nose when it comes to take-home pay for $200,000 earners. Take-home pay in the state is among the highest on this list. A flat tax rate of 3.07% helps keep net take-home pay very close to average. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $56,554 or 28.28%.
Rhode Island
Take-home pay: $140,810
The state’s high tax rates bring down net take-home pay below some other East Coast states. Residents earning $200,000 face a tax rate of 5.99%, whether filing singly or jointly. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $59,190 or 29.60%.
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South Carolina
Take-home pay: $138,144
South Carolina has a fairly high standard deduction, but its graduated tax system rises quickly to a 6.5% rate for both single and joint filers. The end result is a net take-home pay for $200,000 earners that is among the others on the list.
South Dakota
Take-home pay: $149,586
South Dakota is one of the nine lucky states that doesn’t have a state income tax. As a result, it’s tied for the top spot in terms of take-home pay for a $200,000 earner. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $50,414 or 25.21%.
Tennessee
Take-home pay: $149,586
For those earning $200,000 in salary or wages, the state is a tax haven. With no state income tax, high earners keep more of what they earn. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $50,414 or 25.21%.
Texas
Take-home pay: $149,586
The Lone Star State reigns supreme when it comes to state income tax, since it has none. Just like its eight compatriots on this list, no state income tax equates to higher take-home pay. Texas residents earning $200,000 can expect the highest net take-home pay in the country.
Utah
Take-home pay: $139,926
Utah makes it simple when it comes to state income tax. Under the state’s flat tax system, 4.85% of every dollar is handed over to the state treasurer, with no regard for income level or filing status. The net result is that a $200,000 earner in Utah can expect to take home just slightly less than other states.
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Vermont
Take-home pay: $137,272
Vermont is one of the most highly taxed states in the nation, with a tax rate of 7.60%. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $62,728 or 31.37%.
Virginia
Take-home pay: $138,803
Virginia’s state income tax rate is 5.75% regardless of filing status. The net result for $200,000 earners is a well below-average take-home pay rate. The total tax burden of state and federal taxes is $61,197 or 30.60%.
Washington
Take-home pay: $149,586
Washington is one of the nine states in the country without a state income tax. The end result is predictable — Washington is in a nine-way tie for the highest net take-home pay for a $200,000 earner.
West Virginia
Take-home pay: $137,711
West Virginia has one of the lowest per-capita incomes in the country, but that doesn’t stop the state from having one aggressive tax structure. Incomes for both single and joint filers are taxed at the top rate of 6.5%, and there is no standard deduction to reduce the taxable amount.
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Wisconsin
Take-home pay: $139,995
Wisconsin residents earning $200,000 face a high rate of 5.30% is enough to drag down the state’s net take-home pay figure. The state’s relatively high standard deduction is of no help to high earners, as it phases out to zero long before the $200,000 income level.
Wyoming
Take-home pay: $149,586
Wyoming is famous for its wide-open plains, its sense of individuality and the freedom it gives to its resident taxpayers. With no state income tax, those earning $200,000 are free to keep a juicy $149,586, the best take-home rate in the nation (which it shares with eight other states). Wyoming is also one of the best states in the nation for retirees.
John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: In order to find what a $200k salary really looks like in every state, GOBankingRates sourced both the federal and state tax brackets from the Tax Foundation’s 2023 data. GOBankingRates used an in-house income tax calculator to find both the effective and marginal tax rate on income of $200,000 in every state. GOBankingRates also found the Federal Insurance Constributions Act tax with its rate sourced from the Social Security Administration. These calculations were done for a person filing their taxes as a single person and for a married couple filing jointly. GOBankingRates found the total income taxes paid, total tax burden, total take home pay, total gross bi-weekly paycheck, the after income tax bi-weekly paycheck for each state, and the total amount taken out of each bi-weekly paycheck due to taxes. All data was collected on and up top date as of November 13, 2023.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What You Actually Take Home From a $200,000 Salary in Every State