What Is a Pay Stub?
A plain-language explanation of pay stubs (pay slips): what they show, why they matter, and how they differ from a paycheck or W-2.
What is a pay stub?
A pay stub (also called a pay slip or earnings statement) is a document that itemizes an employee's gross pay, deductions, taxes, and net pay for a pay period. It may be printed or delivered digitally. The stub explains how the paycheck amount was calculated.
Why pay stubs matter
Employers use stubs to document wages. Employees use them to verify withholdings, track year-to-date totals, and provide proof of income for lenders, landlords, or benefits. Clear stubs also make year-end W-2 review easier.
What a typical stub includes
- Employer and employee identity
- Pay period and pay date
- Hours or salary, overtime, and other earnings
- Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare
- State (and sometimes local) tax
- Benefits and other deductions
- Net pay and year-to-date (YTD) columns
Pay stub vs paycheck vs W-2
The paycheck (or direct deposit) is the money transferred. The pay stub is the breakdown for that period. A W-2 summarizes wages and taxes for the calendar year and is filed with the IRS and SSA.
Example
An employee earning $1,200 gross in a biweekly period might see federal withholding, FICA, optional 401(k), and net pay of roughly $900–$1,000 depending on Form W-4 elections and state rules. Always review the live preview for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Are pay stubs legally required in every state?
Many states require wage statements with specific information; requirements vary. Check your state labor department or our state payroll guides.
Can a pay stub be digital only?
Often yes, if state rules allow electronic delivery and employees can access the statement. Confirm your state's wage-statement rules.
Is a pay stub the same as a W-2?
No. A pay stub covers one pay period (plus YTD). A W-2 covers the full tax year.
Sources
See also our full sources list, methodology, and editorial standards. This page is educational and not tax, legal, or accounting advice.
Put the numbers on a real stub
Preview federal, FICA, and state amounts with your own pay details.