Pay Stub Abbreviations Explained: Complete Guide
Decode every acronym and abbreviation on your pay stub with this comprehensive reference guide.
Your pay stub is filled with abbreviations and codes that can be confusing at first glance. From tax withholdings like FICA and FWT to benefit deductions and year-to-date totals, understanding these abbreviations is crucial for managing your finances and ensuring you're paid correctly.
This guide breaks down the most common pay stub abbreviations into easy-to-understand categories, so you'll never be confused by your paycheck again.
Employee Information Abbreviations
SSN - Social Security Number
Your unique 9-digit identification number issued by the Social Security Administration. Often displayed with only the last 4 digits visible for security (XXX-XX-1234).
Example: XXX-XX-5678
EIN - Employer Identification Number
Your employer's unique 9-digit tax ID number assigned by the IRS. Also called Federal Tax ID.
Example: 12-3456789
EMP ID / Employee ID
Your company's internal employee identification number used to track your employment records.
Example: EMP001234
Tax Withholding Abbreviations
FICA - Federal Insurance Contributions Act
The combined tax that funds Social Security and Medicare. Total rate is 7.65%of gross wages (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare). Your employer matches this amount.
Example: $3,000 gross pay × 7.65% = $229.50 FICA
FWT / Fed Tax / Federal Tax - Federal Withholding Tax
Federal income tax withheld based on your W-4 form selections and tax bracket. Rates range from 10% to 37% depending on income.
Variable based on W-4 allowances and income
SWT / State Tax / ST - State Withholding Tax
State income tax withheld. Rates vary by state (some states have no income tax). Check your state's tax brackets.
Varies by state (0% to 13%+)
SS / OASDI - Social Security / Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance
Social Security tax at 6.2% of gross wages up to the annual wage base limit ($168,600 in 2024). Once you earn above this limit, no more SS tax is withheld.
Example: $3,000 × 6.2% = $186.00
Med / Medicare
Medicare tax at 1.45% of all gross wages (no limit). High earners pay an additional 0.9% on wages over $200,000.
Example: $3,000 × 1.45% = $43.50
LT / Local Tax
City or county income tax for certain municipalities (common in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, etc.).
Example: 1-2% in many cities
SDI / SUI - State Disability Insurance / State Unemployment Insurance
State-mandated insurance programs (in CA, NY, NJ, RI, HI). Provides benefits if you can't work due to disability or unemployment.
Example: CA SDI = 1.1% of wages
Earnings & Pay Abbreviations
Reg / Regular Hours
Standard work hours paid at your base hourly rate (typically up to 40 hours per week).
Example: 40 hours × $25/hr = $1,000
OT / Overtime
Hours worked beyond 40 per week, paid at time-and-a-half (1.5× your regular rate) in most cases.
Example: 5 OT hours × ($25 × 1.5) = $187.50
DT / Double Time
Hours paid at double your regular rate (often for holidays or excessive overtime).
Example: 4 DT hours × ($25 × 2) = $200
Gross Pay
Total earnings before any deductions. Sum of regular pay, overtime, bonuses, commissions, etc.
All earnings added together
Net Pay / Take Home
Amount you actually receive after all taxes and deductions. Gross Pay - Total Deductions = Net Pay
The amount deposited to your account
Comm / Commission
Earnings based on sales or performance metrics, common in sales positions.
Example: 5% of $10,000 sales = $500
Bonus
Additional compensation for performance, holidays, or other reasons. Often taxed differently.
Varies by employer policy
Tips
Gratuities received from customers (common in food service). Must be reported and taxed.
Subject to all taxes like regular wages
PTO / Paid Time Off
Vacation, sick time, or personal days paid at your regular rate even when not working.
Example: 8 PTO hours × $25/hr = $200
Holiday Pay
Pay for designated company holidays when you don't work, or premium pay for working holidays.
Often paid at regular or premium rates
Benefits & Deduction Abbreviations
401k / 403b / Retirement
Pre-tax retirement savings contributions. 401(k) for private companies, 403(b) for nonprofits/schools.
2024 limit: $23,000 ($30,500 if 50+)
Med / Medical Insurance
Your portion of health insurance premiums (employer usually pays a portion too).
Varies widely by plan
Dental / Vision
Premiums for dental and vision insurance coverage.
Typically $10-50 per paycheck
Life / Life Insurance
Premium for life insurance policy provided through your employer.
Basic coverage often employer-paid
HSA - Health Savings Account
Pre-tax contributions to a savings account for medical expenses (requires high-deductible health plan).
2024 limit: $4,150 individual, $8,300 family
FSA - Flexible Spending Account
Pre-tax account for healthcare or dependent care expenses (use it or lose it annually).
2024 limit: $3,200 healthcare FSA
Garnishment / Wage Garnishment
Court-ordered deduction for debts like child support, student loans, or unpaid taxes.
Legally required deduction
Union Dues
Membership fees for labor union representation.
Varies by union
Tracking & Total Abbreviations
YTD - Year to Date
Total amount from January 1 through the current pay period. Critical for tax filing and tracking annual earnings/deductions.
Resets to $0 on January 1 each year
MTD - Month to Date
Total from the 1st of the month through current pay date.
Resets monthly
QTD - Quarter to Date
Total from the start of the current quarter (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct).
Used for quarterly tax filings
Cur / Current
Amount for this specific pay period only.
This paycheck's amount
Quick Reference: Most Common Abbreviations
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