What Your Paystub Actually Says When You're Working in Massachusetts

If you’ve ever clocked in at a retail job in Worcester or picked up weekend shifts in Cambridge, you’ve probably looked at your paycheck and wondered, “Wait, where’d all my money go?” It’s not just taxes. There’s a lot going on behind those numbers.

Whether you're the one cutting the checks or just trying to figure out what actually hit your bank account, having a legit paystub makes a huge difference.

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Let’s Start with the Taxes That Always Take a Chunk

So every paycheck gets hit by federal taxes. That’s true whether you’re working full-time at a hospital in Springfield or juggling freelance gigs in Somerville.

Here’s what usually comes out:

• Federal income tax which goes up the more you earn. Pretty standard stuff.
• Social Security grabs 6.2 percent.
• Medicare takes 1.45 percent, and if you’re earning over $200,000 (lucky you), there’s a little extra.

And your employer? They match some of it. Not out of your pay, but it matters.

What’s Unique About Massachusetts Paychecks?

Massachusetts is kinda simple on paper — there’s just a flat 5 percent state income tax. So whether you’re making $800 a week or clearing five figures a month, the percentage stays the same.

But there’s more:

• PFML, or Paid Family and Medical Leave, is another bite out of your check. It’s not huge, but it adds up.
• Unemployment insurance is something employers pay into, not you, but still shows up in payroll processing.
• Some folks see deductions for health insurance, dental, or vision if your job covers it.

Basically, your stub’s doing more work than you think.

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Why I Started Using a Paystub Generator (And You Might Want To)

Okay, personal story time. I was doing side gigs in Boston — some freelance design, some remote admin stuff — and I realized I had zero proof of income when I tried applying for a lease in Allston.

A paystub generator saved me. It let me punch in my rates, hours, and deductions, and spit out something that actually looked official. Landlord was happy. I got the apartment.

Now I use it whenever I need a stub. Whether it’s for a credit card application or tax prep, it just makes life easier.

Stuff That Shows Up on a Real Massachusetts Paystub

When you make one (or get one from your boss), here’s what you’ll see:

• Your name, employer, pay period, and job info
• How much you earned before any cuts
• The breakdown of taxes: federal, state, and sometimes local (rare in MA)
• Deductions for healthcare or retirement savings
• The final number — what’s actually yours to keep

Let’s say you’re working 30 hours a week at $21 an hour. Your gross pay would be $630. After taxes and PFML and whatever else, your net might land around $520, give or take.

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These Mistakes Happen More Than You’d Think

One friend of mine works construction near Lowell. He once noticed his paystub was missing all his overtime. Turns out payroll forgot to mark the extra hours. It took two weeks to fix.

Things to watch out for:

• Overtime not showing up
• Wrong tax withholding because your W-4 was outdated
• Health insurance deductions not lining up with your plan
• Retirement contributions missing altogether

Checking your stub regularly can save you a headache later.

Don’t Overthink Making a Paystub — It’s Way Easier Than You’d Expect

You don’t need special software or accounting skills. A generator just needs:

• Your name and your employer’s info
• Your hourly rate or salary and how many hours you worked
• Any extra earnings, like tips or bonuses

It does the rest. You get a PDF or printable stub that looks clean and professional — something you can actually show to a landlord or bank.

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Who’s Actually Using These?

Short answer? A lot of people.

• Freelancers who need proof of income
• Restaurant workers or delivery drivers doing side work
• Employers with small teams who don’t use full payroll systems
• Part-time workers who need stubs for student aid or SNAP

If you're not getting regular stubs from your job, or if you’re self-employed, it makes a world of difference.

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Wrapping This Up

Honestly, your paycheck should never feel like a mystery. If you’re working hard in Massachusetts — whether it’s at a cafe in Salem or running your own thing out of a home office in Brookline — knowing what’s on your stub matters.

A paystub generator just helps you see where everything’s going, and it gives you something you can actually use when life asks for it.

And trust me, life always asks for it.