What Is a Pay Stub?
A pay stub (also spelled paystub, and sometimes called a check stub or earnings statement) is the itemized document attached to every paycheck. It shows exactly how your employer got from your gross salary to the amount that landed in your bank account — every tax, every deduction, listed line by line.
Example: a real pay stub breakdown
Here's what a pay stub looks like for a $60,000 salary, paid bi-weekly, for a single filer in a no-income-tax state (Texas) — calculated with the same 2025 tax engine that powers our paycheck calculator.
| Line item | This pay period | Year-to-date |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 | $60,000 |
| − Federal income tax | $198.52 | $5,162 |
| − Social Security (FICA) | $143.08 | $3,720 |
| − Medicare (FICA) | $33.46 | $870 |
| − Texas state income tax | $0.00 | $0 |
| Net pay (take-home) | $1,932.63 | $50,249 |
Illustrative example only. Real pay stubs vary by employer and payroll provider. See our methodology for calculation assumptions.
What every pay stub should include
- Identifying information: employee name, employer name, and the pay period / pay date.
- Gross pay: total earnings before any deductions — regular hours, overtime, bonuses, or a flat salary amount.
- Tax withholdings: federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and state income tax where applicable.
- Other deductions: retirement contributions, health insurance premiums, and any other pre-tax or post-tax items.
- Net pay: the bottom line — what actually gets deposited.
- Year-to-date (YTD) totals: running totals for each line since January 1, useful for tracking annual income and tax progress.
Pay stub vs. paycheck: what's the difference?
A paycheck is the payment itself — the money that moves from your employer to you, whether by physical check or direct deposit. A pay stub is the paperwork that explains that payment: every number that went into calculating it. With direct deposit now standard, most workers never see a physical check at all — the pay stub, usually delivered through a payroll portal, is the only artifact of each payment they interact with.
Where you'll need a pay stub
Beyond confirming your own paycheck is correct, pay stubs are the most commonly requested document for renting an apartment, applying for a mortgage or auto loan, and some visa applications. If you're self-employed and don't receive one from an employer, see our proof of income guide for what to use instead.
Need to generate a pay stub right now?
If you need to produce a pay-stub-style document for your own income — for a rental application, a loan, or your own records — see our free paystub generator.
Free paystub generatorRelated pages
Frequently asked questions
Is a pay stub the same thing as a paystub or check stub?
Yes. "Pay stub," "paystub," "pay stubs," "paystubs," and "check stub" all refer to the same document — the itemized statement that accompanies a paycheck. The spelling and singular/plural form vary by region and habit, but there's no functional difference.
What is the difference between a pay stub and a paycheck?
A paycheck is the actual payment — historically a physical check, now usually a direct deposit. A pay stub is the itemized statement that explains how that payment was calculated: gross pay, every tax and deduction, and the resulting net pay. With direct deposit, the stub is often the only physical or digital record you see.
Where do I get a pay stub if my employer doesn't provide one?
Most employers using payroll software (ADP, Gusto, Paychex, etc.) provide digital pay stubs through an employee portal automatically. If yours doesn't, ask your HR or payroll department directly — in many states, employers are legally required to provide one. Self-employed workers don't receive pay stubs from anyone and typically generate their own summary from their net income.
Do I need a pay stub if I'm self-employed?
Not for payroll purposes, since there's no employer withholding your taxes. But many self-employed workers still need a pay-stub-style document for proof of income when renting an apartment or applying for a loan. See our guide on proof of income for what else self-employed workers can use.