Reviewed by the PayStubPro Payroll Standards Team
Quick answer
To read a pay stub, start at gross pay (total earnings before deductions), review the taxes and other deductions listed below it, then confirm net pay — the amount you actually take home. Year-to-date columns show the running totals for the year.
The three main sections
Almost every pay stub is organized into earnings, deductions and a net-pay summary. Reading them in that order makes the document easy to follow.
Earnings
This section lists what you earned during the pay period — regular hours, overtime, bonuses or commissions — and adds up to your gross pay.
Deductions
Deductions are amounts subtracted from gross pay. They include mandatory taxes (federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any state or local taxes) and voluntary items such as insurance premiums or retirement contributions.
Net pay
Net pay is gross pay minus total deductions — the money deposited or paid to you.
Understanding the columns
- Current: the amount for this pay period
- Year-to-date (YTD): the cumulative total for the calendar year so far
- Rate and hours: shown for hourly earnings
This article is educational and does not constitute payroll, tax or legal advice.
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