Earnings and hours
Look for regular hours, overtime hours, hourly rate or salary amount, and gross pay. Overtime is commonly listed on its own line. Confirm the pay period dates before comparing stubs.
Taxes versus benefits
Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare are separate lines. A state income tax line depends on where you work and live. Health premiums, retirement contributions and garnishments are other deductions with different tax treatment.
The year-to-date column
YTD earnings and deductions help you verify cumulative withholding and whether Social Security has reached its annual wage base. A calculator estimates a normal period; your stub shows the employer’s actual payroll calculation.
Use the numbers: Open the paycheck calculator to apply these ideas to a salary or hourly rate. The result is an annualized estimate; your employer’s actual withholding can differ.