A single filer earning $30,000 in Tennessee takes home about $26,285 a year ($2,190 a month, $1,011 biweekly) in 2026, after $1,420 federal tax, $2,295 Social Security and Medicare, and no Tennessee income tax on wages.
#7 of 51for take-home at this pay
Where the money goes
Breakdown
| Yearly | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $30,000 | $2,500 |
| Federal income tax | $1,420 | $118 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $1,860 | $155 |
| Medicare | $435 | $36 |
| Tennessee income tax | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home | $26,285 | $2,190 |
| Federal marginal rate | 12% | |
| Tennessee marginal rate | 0.00% |
Same pay in other states
Highest take-home at this pay: Alaska. Middle: Vermont. Lowest: Oregon.
Your tax bracket at this pay
Your federal taxable income is about $13,900 (after the $16,100 standard deduction), which puts the top slice of your pay in the 12% bracket ($12,400 to $50,400). You have about $36,500 of room before the next dollar is taxed at 22%. Only that top slice is taxed at 12%: your average federal rate is 4.7%, and all taxes together (federal, FICA) take 12.4% of gross pay. A $1,000 raise would add about $804 to your take-home.
| Federal bracket | Your income in it | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| 10% on $0–$12,400 | $12,400 | $1,240 |
| 12% on $12,400–$50,400 | $1,500 | $180 |
| Rate | Federal | Combined with state and FICA |
|---|---|---|
| Marginal (next dollar) | 12% | 19.7% |
| Effective (average) | 4.7% | 12.4% |
Compared with the Tennessee median
$30,000 is 43% of the Tennessee median household income of $69,595 (Census ACS 2020–2024 median; households can have more than one earner, so a single salary is not directly comparable).
Affordability snapshot
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Rent budget (30% of gross) | $750/mo |
| Home price at 30% of gross (10% down) | $108,000 |
| Tennessee median home value | $286,700 (Census 2020–2024) |
Rule of thumb only: housing at 30% of gross monthly pay. Home price assumes a 30-year fixed at the Freddie Mac average of 7.40% (week of 2026-10-15), 10% down, the Tennessee median effective property tax rate and about 0.35% a year for insurance. Lenders also weigh debts, credit and PMI.
401(k) and HSA effect
| Contribution | Saved | Take-home cut | Tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6% to a 401(k) ($1,800/yr) | $1,800 | $1,590 | $210 |
| Max HSA, self-only ($4,400, via payroll) | $4,400 | $3,593 | $807 |
Pre-tax 401(k) deferrals cut federal income tax but not Social Security or Medicare; payroll HSA contributions also skip FICA. 2026 limits: 401(k) $24,500 (under 50), HSA $4,400 self-only (IRS).
What applies at this income
- You are under the 2026 Roth IRA income limit for single filers ($153,000 of modified AGI), so you can contribute the full amount.
- Maxing out a 401(k) ($24,500) would take more than half your gross pay at this level, so most people here contribute a percentage instead.
- Tennessee doesn't tax wages, so each raise is taxed only by the IRS and FICA.
Tennessee jobs that typically pay about $30,000
$30,000 is above the median pay of 12 of the 100 common occupations we track in Tennessee (BLS OEWS, May 2025). These have a Tennessee median between $27,500 and $32,500:
| Occupation | Tennessee median | vs this pay |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | −$2,240 |
| Fast Food Cooks | $28,330 | −$1,670 |
| Cashiers | $28,590 | −$1,410 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,690 | −$1,310 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,700 | −$1,300 |
| Teaching Assistants | $29,210 | −$790 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 | −$530 |
| Short-Term Substitute Teachers | $29,500 | −$500 |
| Childcare Workers | $29,660 | −$340 |
| Dishwashers | $30,530 | +$530 |
Where $30,000 lands inside other Tennessee jobs
For 2 of these occupations, $30,000 is what experienced or top earners make (75th–90th percentile); for 8, it is entry-level pay (10th–25th percentile).
| Occupation | Percentile | Tennessee pay at that percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 75th | $29,530 |
| Janitors and Cleaners | 25th | $29,580 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 10th | $29,660 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 25th | $29,920 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 10th | $29,970 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | 25th | $30,150 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | 75th | $30,180 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 10th | $30,230 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | 10th | $30,280 |
| Hand Packers and Packagers | 25th | $30,470 |
Previous and next pay level
Related
Single filer, W-2 wages only; 2026 IRS brackets and $16,100 standard deduction, FICA (Social Security to $184,500, Medicare +0.9% over $200,000) and state rules per the Tax Foundation (Jan 1, 2026). Local taxes and payroll deductions are excluded. Sources: IRS, SSA, Tax Foundation. Not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $30,000 after taxes in Tennessee?
A single filer earning $30,000 in Tennessee takes home about $26,285 a year ($2,190 a month, $1,011 biweekly) in 2026, after $1,420 federal tax, $2,295 Social Security and Medicare, and no Tennessee income tax on wages.
How much is a $30,000 salary per month after taxes in Tennessee?
About $2,190 a month, or $1,011 per biweekly paycheck.
How much state tax do I pay on $30,000 in Tennessee?
None. Tennessee doesn't tax wages.