Childcare vs Work Calculator
Net a second earner’s pay against childcare, taxes and work costs to see the household cash difference.
Free · No sign-up · Your inputs stay in your browser
Your numbers
Net out the cost of going to work
Your projection
$1,317 a month after costs
Net cash a year
$15,800
Plus retirement match
$17,200
Childcare share of take-home
47.6%
Childcare costs end; a career gap keeps costing in lower pay, lost retirement saving and Social Security credits. A year with a small or negative net can still be the cheaper path over a decade. IRS Publication 503 covers the credit rules.
About this tool
Method, assumptions, practical next steps, and limits.
A decision with numbers on both sides
When childcare takes a large share of one paycheck, it is worth knowing the net figure. It is one input into a decision that also involves careers, health and family.
How the calculation works
Net cash = gross pay × (1 − tax rate) − childcare − work costs + dependent care credit or FSA saving
$48,000 of pay taxed at 30% leaves $33,600. Subtract $16,000 of childcare and $3,000 of work costs, add $1,200 of dependent care tax savings, and the job adds $15,800 a year, about $1,317 a month. Childcare takes 48% of that earner’s take-home pay. A $1,400 retirement match adds to the total.
What the number leaves out
Childcare costs fall as children reach school age; time out of work can lower future pay and retirement saving. A short-term negative figure can still be the better long-term choice. IRS Publication 503 explains the child and dependent care credit and dependent care FSA rules.
