Use our Ohio Paycheck Calculator to quickly figure out how much you’ll take home after taxes. Just enter your salary, pay frequency, and deductions and get a detailed breakdown of your gross pay, taxes, and net pay in seconds. This tool works whether you live in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, or anywhere else in Ohio.
How Your Ohio Paycheck is Calculated
Your take-home pay (net pay) depends on subtracting several types of taxes and deductions from your gross pay. A simple formula is:
Gross Pay – (Federal Taxes + State Taxes + Local Taxes + FICA) = Net Pay
Here’s what each term means:
- Gross Pay: The total amount you earn before any deductions (hourly × hours, salary divided by pay periods).
- Federal Income Tax: The amount withheld for your federal tax obligation based on IRS tax brackets, allowances, and withholding status.
- FICA (Social Security & Medicare): Payroll taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare—these are fixed rates applied to your wages.
- State Income Tax: The portion withheld for Ohio’s state income tax based on Ohio’s tax brackets and rules.
- Local Taxes: Additional withholding for municipal or school district taxes, where applicable, in your city or locality.
Each paycheck may also include other deductions (health insurance, retirement contributions, etc.), but those are outside typical tax withholdings.
A Guide to Ohio State Payroll Taxes
Ohio State Income Tax
Ohio uses a progressive (graduated) income tax structure. As of the latest rules:
| Ohio Taxable Income | Tax Computation / Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $26,050 | 0% (no state tax on this portion) |
| $26,051 – $100,000 | $360.69 + 2.75% of the amount over $26,050 |
| Over $100,000 | $2,394.32 + 3.50% of the amount over $100,000 |
Because of a budget change, Ohio reduced its top rate from 3.75% to 3.50% starting July 1, 2024.
Ohio also offers a state standard deduction (not to be confused with the federal deduction). For 2025, that deduction is $2,400 for single filers and $4,800 for married filing jointly.
Ohio does not currently have a personal exemption deduction.
State-Specific Programs & Withholdings in Ohio
Ohio does not require a separate employee “state disability insurance (SDI)” deduction like some states.
However:
- Employers must withhold for school district income taxes in many cases (as those are considered local taxes).
- Ohio imposes state unemployment (SUI) taxes on employers (not the employee) on wages up to a wage base (currently $9,000) with rates depending on employer experience.
- There is no employee‐paid SUI deduction in Ohio.
If your income comes from “nonbusiness” sources (e.g., capital gains), Ohio tax rules may differ slightly.
Because of recent tax reform, a proposed change would flatten Ohio’s tax to 2.75% across all income brackets starting 2026.
If that passes and becomes effective, you may want to adjust your projections accordingly.
Understanding Federal & FICA Taxes
Federal income tax is withheld according to IRS rules and your claimed withholding status (married, single, dependents, etc.). The rates are uniform across states.
For FICA:
- Social Security: 6.2% withheld on wages up to the wage base limit (e.g., $176,100 in 2025)
- Medicare: 1.45% on all wages. For high earners, an Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% may apply above a threshold (e.g., $200,000)
So your FICA deduction = Social Security + Medicare (and possibly additional Medicare tax) from each paycheck.
Local Taxes in Ohio
Yes — many cities, municipalities, and school districts in Ohio levy local income taxes or municipal taxes. These can vary greatly by location.
Here’s what you should know:
- Employers must withhold municipal income taxes in the municipality where you work, even if you live elsewhere.
- Some municipalities also have “residence tax” that applies to the city where you live, especially if their local rate is higher.
- Examples of Ohio cities with local income taxes: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo. (Rates vary by local ordinance.)
- Because of changes effective January 1, 2022, employers must withhold municipal taxes in each municipality where the employee performs work, even if daily or part-day.
- Municipal withholding rules also cover school district income taxes in some cases.
So your pay stub might show a municipal or school district withholding line in addition to state and federal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ohio Paychecks
What is the minimum wage in Ohio?
As of 2025, Ohio’s minimum wage is $10.70 per hour for non-tipped employees.
Ohio law also ties minimum wage increases to inflation. (Check Ohio Department of Commerce for latest updates.)
How often are paydays in Ohio?
Pay frequency depends on your employer: common schedules include weekly, bi-weekly (every two weeks), semi-monthly, or monthly.
For hourly workers, many employers pay bi-weekly. A “bi-weekly paycheck” means 26 pay periods per year.
What is the Ohio state tax rate for 2025?
For 2025, Ohio’s state income tax uses three brackets: 0%, 2.75%, and 3.50% depending on taxable income.
People earning $26,050 or less pay no state tax.
Are 1099 contractors subject to Ohio state taxes?
Yes. If you are an independent contractor (1099), you are responsible for paying Ohio state income tax on your net income (revenues minus business expenses).
You may also need to make estimated tax payments quarterly to Ohio if withholding is insufficient.
You are also responsible for paying self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare) at full rate (both employer and employee share).
What are the overtime laws in Ohio?
Ohio follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for overtime:
- Nonexempt employees are eligible for 1.5× pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
- Some state or local rules may impose additional protections (check Ohio Department of Commerce and Ohio Revised Code).