Multi-Country Guide
Take-home pay compared: UK vs US vs Canada
Same job, three countries, three very different paychecks. Here is what you actually keep after tax and social contributions on equivalent salaries, using verified 2026 figures from the Wealthy Employee calculator.
Side-by-side at equivalent salaries
UK uses 2026/27 HMRC rates, US uses 2026 IRS federal-only (single, no state), Canada uses 2026 CRA federal-only. No pre-tax contributions applied.
| UK (£50,000) | US ($80,000) | Canada ($70,000) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross | £50,000 | $80,000 | $70,000 |
| Income tax | £7,486 | $8,770 | $7,497 |
| Social contributions | £2,994 (NI) | $6,120 (FICA) | $5,080 (CPP+EI) |
| Take-home | £39,520 (79.0%) | $65,110 (81.4%) | $57,423 (82.0%) |
| Effective rate | 21.0% | 18.6% | 18.0% |
Canada keeps the most at this salary level (82.0%), largely due to the new 14% bottom federal rate and the $16,452 Basic Personal Amount. The US keeps 81.4% but has the highest payroll tax (FICA at 7.65% up to $184,500). The UK has the lowest NI at this band but the 20% basic rate starts at a lower threshold.
Why the comparison is incomplete
This table shows federal/national tax only. The US has state income tax (0-13.3% depending on state). Canada has provincial tax (5-25%). The UK has no sub-national income tax (Scotland has different bands). Healthcare is included in UK NI and Canadian taxes; the US does not include health insurance premiums, which can add $200-600/month.
Use the calculator with your country and salary to see your exact position. The take-home pay guide explains the full breakdown.
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