Missouri Paycheck Calculator

Missouri Income Tax Rate

Missouri taxes wage income with brackets that have stepped down in recent years through legislative triggers. Employers start with gross pay, subtract pre-tax benefits—traditional 401(k), Section 125 health premiums, HSA/FSA, and commuter plans—to reach taxable wages. Payroll then applies federal withholding, FICA, and Missouri withholding using your MO W-4 details and pay frequency. Supplemental wages (bonuses/commissions) may be withheld using percentage or aggregate methods aligned with federal rules. Because only a few Missouri cities levy an earnings tax, most employees see just federal, state, and benefit deductions on their pay stubs. The table below shows the top state rate trend; your effective rate is usually lower after deductions and credits.

Missouri Median Household Income

Missouri’s median household income has climbed over the decade, propelled by growth in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics, education, professional services, and defense-adjacent industries around Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and Columbia. After pandemic volatility, nominal growth resumed as labor markets tightened. The figures below are nominal, directional benchmarks for budgeting and offer comparisons. For purchasing power, evaluate “real” (inflation-adjusted) dollars and account for regional cost differences—housing, transportation, childcare, and insurance vary widely between metro, suburban, and rural counties. Household size and employer benefits (health coverage, retirement match) meaningfully shape take-home value and savings capacity across Missouri communities.

Missouri Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

FICA applies in Missouri like everywhere in the U.S. Employees pay 6.2% Social Security on wages up to the annual federal wage base (employers match) and 1.45% Medicare on all wages (also matched). High earners owe an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax above federal thresholds, which employers do not match. Section 125 health premiums typically reduce both income-tax and FICA wages, while a traditional 401(k) reduces income-tax wages but not FICA. Missouri pay stubs usually itemize Social Security, Medicare, federal tax, state tax, any local earnings tax (if applicable), pre-/post-tax deductions, and year-to-date totals for easy verification each period.

Missouri Number of Cities with Local Income Taxes

Missouri has two major cities with employee-paid earnings taxes. Most other Missouri municipalities do not tax wages. Confirm your work location’s rules, especially for hybrid/remote scenarios and nonresident work days.

How Your Missouri Paycheck Works

Your paycheck starts with gross wages for the period. Payroll subtracts pre-tax benefits—traditional 401(k), HSA/FSA, Section 125 health premiums, and eligible commuter benefits—to determine taxable wages. Withholding then includes federal income tax (per W-4), FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and Missouri state income tax (MO W-4). If you work in Kansas City or St. Louis, an earnings tax may be withheld as well. Post-tax deductions—Roth 401(k), garnishments, union dues, charitable gifts—are taken after taxes and don’t reduce taxable wages. Pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly) changes cash-flow timing but not annual tax liability.

Missouri Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime, Pay Frequency

Overtime: Missouri follows FLSA—most non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek; exemptions apply when duties and salary thresholds are met.
Pay frequency: Employers must set regular paydays and pay consistently; many use biweekly or semimonthly schedules. State rules also cover timely final pay and itemized wage statements—review employer policy and any applicable agreements for details.

FAQs

How do I use the Missouri Paycheck Calculator?

Enter gross pay, pay schedule, W-4/MO W-4 details, pre-tax benefits, and deductions to estimate federal, FICA, state, and any local withholding.

What is Missouri’s current top income tax rate?

Missouri’s top rate has been stepping down; see the 10-year table for context and the scheduled reductions.

Do Kansas City and St. Louis tax wages?

Yes. Each levies a 1% earnings tax on residents and on nonresidents for work performed in the city.

Why did my Missouri withholding change midyear?

Raises, overtime, bonuses, new MO W-4 elections, or state rate changes can alter per-check withholding.

Are bonuses and commissions withheld differently?

Employers may use federal percentage or aggregate methods; Missouri state withholding follows current tables for supplemental wages.

Do 401(k) and HSA contributions reduce my Missouri tax?

Yes—both reduce income-tax wages; traditional 401(k) does not reduce FICA, while many Section 125 health premiums do.

What appears on a Missouri pay stub?

Social Security, Medicare, federal tax, Missouri state tax, local earnings tax (if applicable), pre-/post-tax deductions, YTD totals, and net pay.

How often must I be paid in Missouri?

Employers must maintain regular, published paydays; biweekly or semimonthly is common, with rules for timely final pay.

Are tips taxable in Missouri?

Yes. Reported tips are subject to federal income tax, FICA, and Missouri income tax (and local earnings tax if applicable).

How does remote or hybrid work affect the earnings tax?

Earnings tax generally applies to work performed within the city; confirm your employer’s tracking for remote days.

Which address determines Missouri state withholding?

Residents owe Missouri tax on all income; nonresidents owe on Missouri-sourced wages. Your work location and MO W-4 guide withholding.

What pay schedule should I choose?

Weekly improves cash flow consistency; biweekly/semimonthly reduce admin friction. Annual tax owed is unaffected by frequency.

Which benefits lower FICA?

Section 125 health premiums typically reduce FICA; traditional 401(k) does not. HSA via cafeteria plan can reduce FICA too.