Throughout the 2024 campaign trail and continuing after his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has floated the notion of discontinuing the federal income tax, suggesting the income could be made up by his institution of tariffs against America’s trade partners. His latest proposal is to remove income tax for earners below $150,000.
Check Out: Here’s the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper-Middle Class in 2025
Learn More: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too
Despite the fact that many economists have warned that America would not be able to afford the dismantling of the income tax, it does provoke some curiosity: What would life be like without the income tax taking a bite out of our paycheck?
GOBankingRates sought out the answers, compiling a state-by-state study that measured the incomes, tax burdens and average upper-middle-class paychecks across the country.
Curious what your check might look like without income taxes? Keep reading.
Alabama
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $110,271
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 27.1%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,093
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.8%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,036
Also See: What Is the Estimated Median Income for the Upper-Middle Class in 2025?
Discover More: How Much You Need To Earn To Be Upper Middle Class in Every State
Trending Now: Suze Orman’s Secret to a Wealthy Retirement–Have You Made This Money Move?
Alaska
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $158,820
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 25.1%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,578
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,108
Explore More: Here’s the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025
Arizona
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $136,662
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 26.2%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,878
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 2.2%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,139
Arkansas
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $104,486
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 26.0%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $2,973
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.2%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $3,851
California
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $171,261
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 32.6%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,440
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 7.05%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,122
Colorado
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $164,392
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 29.3%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,470
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,069
Connecticut
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $166,685
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 30.6%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,448
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.3%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,074
Find Out: Warren Buffett’s Top 4 Tips for Getting Richer
Delaware
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $147,298
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 30.3%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,948
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.8%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,339
Florida
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $127,487
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 23.4%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,754
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,903
Georgia
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $132,737
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 28.8%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,637
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,850
Hawaii
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $174,786
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 33.5%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,472
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 7.8%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,197
Idaho
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $132,687
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 28.7%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,637
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,850
Read More: What Salary Single People Need To Live Comfortably in 100 Major US Cities
Illinois
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $145,249
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 29.4%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,944
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,310
Indiana
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $124,536
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 26.3%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,530
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 3.1%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,644
Iowa
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $130,040
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 29.1%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,547
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.5%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,728
Kansas
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $129,137
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 28.7%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,539
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.2%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,709
Kentucky
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $110,964
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 26.2%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,150
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 3.9%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,102
Read Next: The Living Wage a Family of 4 Needs in All 50 States
Louisiana
-
Median household income: $106,708
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 25.7%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,049
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 3.7%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $3,952
Maine
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $127,597
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 29.4%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,465
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.9%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,616
Maryland
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $180,715
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 30.7%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,825
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.9%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,612
Massachusetts
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $180,162
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 30.8%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,802
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,583
Michigan
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $126,488
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 27.6%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,521
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.3%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,658
For You: What Is the Estimated Median Income for the Upper-Middle Class in 2025?
Minnesota
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $155,656
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 31.1%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,128
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 6.1%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,621
Mississippi
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $97,627
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 25.4%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $2,801
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.1%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $3,601
Missouri
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $122,525
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 27.2%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,431
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.1%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,520
Montana
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $124,306
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 28.2%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,431
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,542
Nebraska
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $133,307
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 28.8%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,651
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,871
Trending Now: Warren Buffett Offers One Piece of Estate Planning Advice to the Middle Class
Nevada
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $134,331
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 23.9%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,934
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,167
New Hampshire
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $170,006
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 25.5%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,872
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,539
New Jersey
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $179,645
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 31.0%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,775
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.2%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,551
New Mexico
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $110,445
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 26.3%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,132
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,078
New York
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $150,361
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 30.0%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,048
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.3%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,476
Be Aware: 10 Things the Middle Class Won’t Be Able To Afford in Less Than a Decade
North Carolina
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $124,274
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 27.3%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,476
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,587
North Dakota
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $135,021
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 25.0%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,895
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 1.1%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,136
Ohio
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $123,876
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 25.6%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,546
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 2.4%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,652
Oklahoma
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $113,073
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 26.8%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,186
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.3%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,161
Oregon
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $142,980
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 32.8%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,694
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 8.5%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,032
See More: 20 Best Cities Where You Can Buy a House for Under $100K
Pennsylvania
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $135,256
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 27.0%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,798
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 3.1%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,042
Rhode Island
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $153,551
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 28.8%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,208
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 3.9%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,674
South Carolina
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $118,788
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 27.9%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,295
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,339
South Dakota
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $128,749
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 23.5%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,787
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,952
Tennessee
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $119,284
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 22.9%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,538
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,588
Also Explore: The Salary Needed To Afford America’s 50 Biggest Cities
Texas
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $135,631
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 23.9%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,968
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,217
Utah
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $163,112
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 29.9%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,400
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.6%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,983
Vermont
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $138,710
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 29.5%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,763
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.4%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,049
Virginia
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $161,732
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 30.5%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,324
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 5.3%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,890
Washington
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $168,804
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 25.5%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $4,840
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $6,492
Learn More: Here’s How Much the Definition of Middle Class Has Changed in the South
West Virginia
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $102,964
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 26.0%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $2,931
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.3%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $3,792
Wisconsin
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $134,525
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 28.4%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,707
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 4.5%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $4,942
Wyoming
-
Median income for upper-middle class: $133,005
-
Current tax burden for single filer: 23.8%
-
Current bi-weekly check with all taxes: $3,899
-
State tax burden (no federal taxes): 0.0%
-
Bi-weekly check if no federal tax: $5,116
Methodology: To generate the income tax for every state, GOBankingRates first found upper-middle-class median income based on 2023 American Community Survey median household figures. Income tax estimates were created by using an in-house calculator for a single filer using the standard deduction (with 2024 tax brackets). Once the income taxes (federal and state) were calculated as an annual amount, GOBankingRates found each state’s (1) total annual income taxes paid; (2) total income tax burden; (3) amount taken out of bi-weekly paycheck; and (4) bi-weekly paycheck amount. GOBankingRates then took these figures and removed the federal income taxes (including FICA) to see what upper-middle-class paychecks would look like by state without federal income taxes. All data was collected on and is up to date as of March 3, 2025.
More From GOBankingRates
-
5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying
-
6 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money
-
4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early
-
7 Wealth-Building Shortcuts Proven To Add $1K to Your Wallet This Month
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Paychecks for Upper-Middle Class Would Look in Each State If Trump Dropped Income Tax
