What Type of Information Is on Your Pay Stub?
Understand your pay stub's comprehensive financial record. Learn how your income is structured and what influences your final amount.
A pay stub serves as a detailed record of an employee’s compensation for a specific pay period, outlining gross earnings, itemized deductions, and net pay. Understanding the information on a pay stub is important for managing personal finances and verifying payment accuracy. This document provides transparency into how your total compensation is calculated and what amounts are withheld.
Essential Identifying Information
Every pay stub includes fundamental identifying details for the employee and employer. This includes the employee’s full name, address, and often the last four digits of their Social Security Number (SSN) for privacy. The employer’s name, address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN) are also present.
The pay stub indicates the specific pay period it covers, showing the start and end dates of work performed. The actual pay date, when funds were disbursed, is also listed. These dates are important for reconciling bank deposits and tracking income flow.
Earnings Breakdown
The earnings breakdown section details how your total gross pay is calculated before any deductions are applied. This includes your regular wages, based on an hourly rate or a fixed salary. Any overtime hours worked are also itemized here.
Beyond regular and overtime wages, this section may list other forms of compensation. These can include bonuses for performance, commissions from sales, or other incentive payments. Paid time off, such as vacation or sick leave, is also reflected.
Deductions and Withholdings
This section outlines all amounts subtracted from your gross pay. Deductions fall into two main categories: mandatory withholdings required by law and voluntary deductions chosen by the employee. These subtractions determine your final take-home pay.
Mandatory deductions include federal income tax, which is withheld based on the information provided on your Form W-4. State income tax and, if applicable, local income taxes are also withheld. These amounts vary depending on your income, filing status, and allowances claimed.
Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes are mandatory withholdings, funding Social Security and Medicare programs. For 2025, the Social Security tax rate is 6.2% of your gross wages, applied to earnings up to an annual wage base limit of $176,100. The Medicare tax rate is 1.45% of all your gross wages, with no wage base limit. An additional Medicare tax of 0.9% applies to wages exceeding $200,000, without an employer match.
Voluntary deductions are those you authorize, often for benefits or personal savings. Common examples include premiums for health insurance, covering medical, dental, or vision plans. Contributions to retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or 403(b), are also listed here, often providing tax advantages as pre-tax deductions that reduce your taxable income.
Other voluntary deductions might include contributions to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA), which allow you to set aside pre-tax money for healthcare expenses. Life insurance premiums, union dues, or charitable contributions made through payroll deductions can also appear. The distinction between pre-tax and post-tax deductions influences your taxable income, with pre-tax deductions lowering the income subject to federal and state income taxes.
Net Pay and Year-to-Date Summary
After all deductions and withholdings are subtracted from your gross pay, the remaining amount is your net pay, often referred to as your “take-home pay.” This is the actual amount you receive, whether through direct deposit or a physical check.
Pay stubs also include year-to-date (YTD) summaries for all earnings and deductions. These figures represent the cumulative totals from the beginning of the calendar year up to the current pay period. Reviewing YTD information helps you track your total annual income, monitor cumulative tax withholdings, and assess contributions to retirement plans or other benefits. This cumulative data is valuable for personal financial planning and verifying information for tax purposes at year-end.