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Missouri Paycheck Guide

Missouri uses progressive tax brackets. Higher portions of pay are taxed at higher rates.

PI
Reviewed by PayslipIQ Editorial Team, in-house payroll editor
Last reviewed May 2026 · Editorial standards

In short

A Missouri paycheck has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%), plus progressive Missouri state income tax, and local income tax in some cities. On a $65,000 single-filer salary, estimated Missouri take-home is about $50,833 a year, or $1,955 per biweekly paycheck.

PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, accounting, employment, benefits, or payroll advice. PayslipIQ is not a CPA firm, law firm, financial advisor, payroll provider, or tax authority. Always verify your paycheck, deductions, withholdings, and tax position with your employer's payroll department, a qualified CPA, the IRS, your state tax authority, or another appropriately qualified professional. Calculations are estimates; your actual paycheck may differ based on factors specific to your employer, location, benefits elections, and personal tax situation.

Missouri: the local picture

Missouri runs a graduated state income tax with a top rate of 4.7%. Kansas City and St. Louis both levy a 1% Earnings Tax on residents and on non-residents who work in the city.

Missouri Paycheck Calculator

Estimate take-home pay for Missouri.

Missouri State Tax

Missouri tax structure and rates.

Missouri Overtime

Federal FLSA applies.

Missouri Pay Stub Laws

Employer pay stub requirements in Missouri.

Missouri take-home pay by salary (2026)

See estimated Missouri take-home for common salaries. Each page has a full federal, FICA, and Missouri breakdown with per-paycheck figures.

$40,000 after tax$50,000 after tax$60,000 after tax$75,000 after tax$90,000 after tax$100,000 after tax$125,000 after tax$150,000 after tax
All Missouri salariesMissouri gross-to-net calculator

How a Missouri paycheck is built

Every Missouri worker pays federal income tax, calculated on the W-4 you submitted to your employer using the IRS Publication 15-T tables. Federal income tax is followed by FICA: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies once year-to-date wages cross $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.

Missouri adds progressive state income tax. The bracket you fall into depends on filing status and taxable income. Verify current brackets with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Local taxes: Missouri has cities or counties that levy local income tax on top of state tax. Common examples are noted on the local-tax page.

What changed recently in Missouri

  • Top rate cut from 4.95% to 4.7% in 2024.
  • Kansas City and St. Louis Earnings Tax remain 1%.
  • Standard deduction adjusted.

Missouri payroll quirks workers should know

  • Kansas City and St. Louis Earnings Tax shows on paychecks for work performed in those cities.
  • Applies to non-residents commuting in.

Example breakdown

A hypothetical Missouri worker on a $65,000 annual salary, paid bi-weekly, single filer, no extra adjustments. Educational only, your real paycheck differs.

Gross (bi-weekly)$2,500.00
Federal income tax-$216.15
Social Security (6.2%)-$155.00
Medicare (1.45%)-$36.25
Missouri state tax-$137.50
Estimated take-home$1,955.10

Run your own numbers in the Missouri paycheck calculator.

Authoritative sources

Next steps

Want to go further?

The calculators and guides here are free. If you want a closer look at one specific stub, these optional next steps go deeper.

Premium pay stub report
A detailed one-off PDF that walks through every line on one stub, with a verify-with-payroll checklist.
Monthly paycheck monitor
Track each stub against the last one and get a plain-English alert when something shifts.
Talk to a CPA or EA
For anything that affects your taxes, find a credentialed professional through the IRS and state directories.

How PayslipIQ stays free: the tools and guides are free to use. PayslipIQ offers optional paid reports and monitoring, and links to independent CPA and tax-preparer directories. It is not affiliated with the IRS, the SSA, any employer, or any payroll provider, and does not sell user data. Educational only, not tax, legal, or financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does Missouri have state income tax?
Yes. Missouri uses progressive brackets. Verify with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Are there local income taxes in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri has cities or counties that add local income tax on top of state tax. Check your specific city.
Does Missouri have State Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave premiums?
No. Missouri does not have state-mandated SDI or PFL employee premiums.
Does Missouri have daily-overtime rules?
No. Missouri follows federal FLSA: 1.5x for hours above 40 in a workweek.
What is FICA on a Missouri paycheck?
FICA is federal: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies above $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly. FICA applies in every state.
Where do I verify Missouri state tax withholding?
The Missouri Department of Revenue (https://dor.mo.gov/) is the authoritative source. For your specific paycheck, contact your employer's payroll team or a CPA.
What is the Earnings Tax on my Kansas City paycheck?
Kansas City Earnings Tax. 1% of wages for work in the city. Same in St. Louis.
I live in St. Louis but work in Clayton. Do I pay Earnings Tax?
Yes, on residence. The St. Louis Earnings Tax applies to all earnings of St. Louis residents, regardless of where the work is done. Clayton is a separate municipality and does not levy its own earnings tax.