United States Tech Pay Insights
Real analysis of what United States tech salaries and contractor day rates are actually doing, and what it means if you are hiring, job-hunting, or contracting right now.
Featured · US
2027 Tax Brackets and Standard Deduction: Projected IRS Figures
Projected 2027 tax brackets for single, married and head of household filers: a $16,600 standard deduction ($33,200 joint) and 3.2% wider brackets. Calculator inside.
6 October 2026 · 8 min read
Social Security Wage Base 2027: $190,200 Projected, COLA Near 3.4%
SSA sets the 2027 Social Security wage base and COLA on October 14. Projected: a $190,200 tax limit (up to $353.40 more tax) and a COLA near 3.4%. Calculator inside.
How to Fill Out a W-4 in 2026: Fix Your Withholding Before Year-End
How to fill out a W-4 in 2026, step by step, and how to use Step 4(c) in October to avoid a tax bill or penalty. Two-job example and the new overtime deduction.
2026 H-1B Prevailing Wage Rule: Which Roles Get Hit Hardest
DOL's proposed H-1B rule lifts entry-level wage floors by 22% in one case and 44% in another. Across 11 occupation-metro pairs the rise runs $24,835 to $46,031.
Node.js Developer Salary US 2026: By City and Seniority
US Node.js developers benchmark at $118K nationally, from $88K junior to $198K for staff and lead roles. Breakdown by city, seniority and remote status.
Software Engineer Salary US 2026: $132K Median
Software engineers in the US earn a $132K median, typically $105K-$165K. The Bay Area tops $185K, while AI demand splits senior and junior hiring. Full ladder.
California Paycheck 2026: Biweekly vs Semimonthly Explained
A $250,000 California salary nets $163,794, but paychecks change mid-year as Social Security stops at $184,500 and Additional Medicare starts at $200,000.
US AI Engineer Salary vs 10 Other Global Markets (2026)
A senior US AI/ML Engineer on $210,000 nets about $156,292 federal-only. How that compares after tax with the UK, Singapore, Dubai and 7 other markets.
NYC vs New Jersey Take-Home Pay 2026: Two Jobs Compared
On $150,000, living and working in NYC nets $100,535 vs $106,361 fully in New Jersey, a $5,825 gap that doesn't carry over if you commute from NJ into NYC.
1099 Quarterly Estimated Tax 2026: What to Set Aside
A $150,040 1099 contractor owes $43,400 for the year with no withholding: four 1040-ES payments of $10,850 due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15.
UK vs US Take-Home Pay 2026: What You Really Keep
On federal tax the US leads by 11.9 points at 120k. But Texas keeps 75.4% and New York 66.5% on the same salary, so the state decides it.
1099 vs W-2 for Tech Contractors 2026: The Take-Home Gap
On $150,000, a W-2 employee nets $113,791 but a 1099 contractor about $106,615, because self-employment tax adds the employer half of FICA. What offsets it.
No-Tax States vs California & New York: $150K Net in 2026
$150,000 nets $113,791 in Texas, Florida or Washington, but about $101,499 in California and $105,509 in New York. Why no-tax states can beat bigger offers.
Federal Tax + FICA 2026: How a US Paycheck Loses Money
On a $120,000 W-2 salary, $17,570 goes to federal income tax and $9,180 to FICA before state tax. How 2026 brackets, the $16,100 deduction and FICA combine.
Cross-market guides
Ireland
United Kingdom
Ireland vs UK Tech Salaries: How Do They Compare?
Dublin vs London tech pay: median salaries, cost-of-living adjustments and net take-home compared, to see where tech workers are actually better off.
Read the full comparisonMore Ireland & UK comparisons