Part-Time Pay Calculator — Hours × Rate = Real Take-Home
Your paycheck is smaller than you expected — taxes do that. Enter your hourly rate and hours per week to see your real take-home pay after federal taxes, FICA, and state withholding. Also covers how part-time income affects your financial aid.
2026 Federal Tax Brackets (Single Filers)
Here's a thing most first-time earners don't fully understand: tax brackets are marginal. That means you don't pay the same rate on everything you earn — you pay each rate only on the portion of income that falls within that bracket. So if you earn $20,000, you're not paying 12% on all of it. You pay 10% on the first ~$11,600 and 12% only on the income above that.
| Taxable Income | Rate | Tax on bracket |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $11,600 | 10% | Up to $1,160 |
| $11,601 – $47,150 | 12% | Up to $4,266 |
| $47,151 – $100,525 | 22% | Up to $11,742 |
| $100,526 – $191,950 | 24% | — |
| $191,951 – $243,725 | 32% | — |
| Over $243,725 | 35–37% | — |
The 2026 standard deduction for single filers is approximately $15,000. If your total income for the year is under that — which is possible if you work part-time — you owe $0 in federal income tax. FICA (Social Security and Medicare) still applies to earned income at any level, unless you qualify for the student FICA exemption. Most part-time students earning $10,000–$20,000/year fall in the 10–12% federal bracket.
Student Jobs — What They Actually Pay
Not all student jobs are created equal. Here's a realistic range of what you can expect for common student work situations:
| Job Type | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus work study | $10–$15/hr | Federally subsidised; limited hours |
| Retail / food service | $12–$18/hr | Flexible scheduling, tip income possible |
| Tutoring (peer) | $15–$25/hr | Often through learning centres |
| Tutoring (private) | $25–$60/hr | Self-employed; set your own rate |
| Research assistant | $12–$20/hr | May count toward financial aid |
| Freelance / gig work | Varies widely | Subject to self-employment tax (15.3%) |
| Internship (paid) | $15–$35/hr | May affect financial aid; ask your aid office |
Does Part-Time Income Affect Financial Aid?
Yes — but probably less than you'd think, and there are important exceptions worth knowing.
The FAFSA uses your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from two years prior to determine your aid eligibility. Income you earn this year affects your aid package two years from now, not this year's. For most students earning under $20,000/year part-time, the impact on need-based aid is modest — the FAFSA formula includes an income protection allowance that shields a chunk of your earnings from the calculation.
The big exception: Work-Study income is completely excluded from FAFSA income calculations. It doesn't count against your aid eligibility at all. If you have a work-study offer, take it before looking for off-campus work — it's effectively the same pay but with no aid impact.
Getting More Out of Your Part-Time Pay
- Track deductible expenses if you freelance. Self-employed students can deduct home office costs, equipment, software, and relevant subscriptions — reducing taxable income directly.
- Open a Roth IRA while your income is low. Contributions grow tax-free. Even $500/year in your early 20s compounds significantly by retirement. You can contribute up to your total earned income (max $7,000 in 2026) per year.
- File your taxes even if you're below the filing threshold. If your employer withheld federal income tax during the year, you're owed that money back — but only if you file.
- Check for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Students with very low income may qualify for a refundable credit — meaning you could actually get money back beyond what was withheld.
- Do the actual math on work-study vs off-campus. Work-study protects your aid; off-campus jobs often pay more per hour. Calculate the difference after accounting for the potential aid impact before deciding.