Free Pay Stub Generator (USA)
Create a clean pay stub and download it as a Letter-size PDF. The USA preset fills in the usual deduction lines – federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state and local income tax – plus common items such as 401(k) and health insurance, and earning lines like regular pay, overtime and PTO.
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- ✓ No sign-up
- 🔒 Data stays in your browser
- ⬇ PDF download
You enter every amount yourself: PayslipKit does not calculate withholding or FICA. Everything runs in your browser, so your payroll data never leaves your device.
Lines pre-filled for United States
Rename, remove or add lines as needed. Lines left at zero are hidden once you enter amounts.
Earnings
- Regular pay
- Overtime
- Holiday pay
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Bonus
- Commission
Employee deductions
- Federal income tax
- Social Security
- Medicare
- State income tax
- Local income tax
- State disability insurance (SDI)
- 401(k) contribution
- Health insurance
Employer contributions (information)
- 401(k) employer match
What must a payslip show in United States?
There is no federal pay stub requirement: the U.S. Department of Labor states that the Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to keep accurate records of hours worked and wages paid, but does not require them to provide pay stubs. Pay statement rules are set by individual states – for example, California Labor Code section 226(a) requires an itemized wage statement each pay period – so check your state's labor department.
Items the rules require (in short):
- Employer's name
- Employer's address
- Employee's name
- Employee's tax or social-security number
- Pay period
- Hours worked
- Rate of pay
- Gross pay
- Each deduction itemised with its amount
- Net pay
- No federal requirement: the FLSA requires records of hours worked and wages paid, but not a pay stub
- Whether a pay stub is required, and what it must show, depends on state law
- Example – California Labor Code section 226(a): gross wages, total hours worked (except for exempt salaried employees), piece-rate units and rates if applicable, all deductions, net wages, the inclusive dates of the pay period, the employee's name and only the last four digits of the SSN or an employee ID number, the employer's legal name and address, and all applicable hourly rates with the hours worked at each rate
Sources
- Wages, Pay and Benefits – FLSA FAQ (U.S. Department of Labor)
- California Labor Code section 226 (California Public Law)
- California Labor Code section 226 (Justia)
Reviewed November 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice — rules change, so always check the official source.
FAQ
Are employers required to give pay stubs under federal law?
No. The U.S. Department of Labor says the FLSA requires employers to keep accurate records of hours worked and wages paid, but it does not require them to provide pay stubs. Many states have their own pay statement laws.
What does a California pay stub need to show?
California Labor Code section 226(a) requires an itemized statement with gross and net wages, total hours worked (for non-exempt employees), all deductions, the pay period dates, the employee's name and last four SSN digits or an employee ID, the employer's legal name and address, and every hourly rate with the hours worked at it.
What are Social Security and Medicare on a pay stub?
They are the employee's share of FICA taxes, withheld by the employer alongside federal income tax. Employers also pay a matching share, which is not deducted from the employee's pay.
Does this tool calculate taxes?
No. The preset only adds the line labels; you type in the amounts from your payroll provider or records. This is not tax or legal advice – check your state's labor department.