Ohio Salary & Tax Calculator
Ohio's top state income tax rate is 3.5%, but most cities add their own local income tax on top. Enter your gross salary below for a take-home pay estimate.
Ohio taxes income on a graduated scale that tops out at 3.5% for the highest earners, the result of a 2023 reform that flattened and reduced the state's brackets from a prior top rate near 3.99%. On a state-only basis, Ohio compares closely to its Midwest neighbors — a touch above Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% and Indiana's flat 3.05%, roughly in line with Kentucky's flat 4%, and generally middle-of-the- pack for the region. But Ohio has a wrinkle most of its neighbors don't: the vast majority of Ohio municipalities, including Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, levy their own local income tax, typically running 1.5% to 3%, withheld directly alongside state tax. That means two Ohio residents earning identical salaries in different cities can see meaningfully different take-home pay once local tax is factored in. The calculator below defaults to Ohio's 3.5% top state rate; if you live or work in a city with its own income tax, add that percentage to the rate field for a more accurate estimate.
*Estimates only, not tax or financial advice. Actual Ohio withholding depends on your city of residence/work, filing status, and exact bracket. Consult a tax professional for precise figures.
Compare your take-home pay to the general US calculator or another state.
General Salary & Tax Calculator🏈 Ohio Paycheck Basics
Why your Ohio city matters as much as the state rate.
How it Works
Strips estimated Ohio state tax, federal tax, and common deductions from your gross salary to reveal your real take-home pay.
The Formula
Net Pay = Gross Pay − (Federal Tax + Ohio State Tax up to 3.5% + City Local Tax if applicable + FICA + Pre-tax Deductions).
Pro Tip
Look up your specific municipality's income tax rate before job-hunting across the Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati metro areas — local rates vary by city and can shift your real take-home pay noticeably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ohio have a state income tax? +
Yes. Ohio uses a graduated state income tax with a top marginal rate of 3.5%, following a 2023 reform that flattened and lowered the state's brackets from a previous top rate near 3.99%. Income below roughly $26,050 is exempt from state tax entirely.
How does Ohio's tax rate compare to neighboring states? +
Ohio's 3.5% top rate is close to Kentucky's flat 4% and slightly above Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% and Indiana's flat 3.05%. Local city taxes in Ohio, however, can push effective rates higher than the state comparison alone suggests.
Does Ohio have local city income tax on top of the state rate? +
Yes, and this is Ohio's biggest quirk. Most Ohio municipalities — including Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati — levy their own local income tax, typically between 1.5% and 3%, withheld directly from your paycheck on top of the state's 3.5% rate.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay in Ohio? +
Gross pay is your salary before any withholding. Net (take-home) pay is what remains after federal income tax, Ohio state income tax (up to 3.5%), your city's local income tax if applicable, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and pre-tax deductions.
How accurate is this Ohio salary calculator? +
This calculator applies a single effective tax rate (pre-filled at Ohio's top 3.5% state bracket, which you can adjust) to your income after deductions. It does not automatically add your specific city's local income tax, so manually increase the rate field if your municipality levies one.
Can I adjust the rate for my Ohio city's local tax? +
Yes. Add your city's local income tax rate (commonly 1.5%-3%) directly to the pre-filled 3.5% state figure in the rate field. For example, if you work in Columbus with a 2.5% city tax, you might enter roughly 6% combined before adding an estimated federal rate.