Owner-operators
Owner-operator take-home pay calculator.
Enter a year of revenue and the costs you pay. See net profit, an estimate of self-employment tax, your own income-tax assumption, and what you keep per year, month, week and mile.
On $260,000 of revenue and $170,000 of costs, net profit is $90,000.00. Self-employment tax is about $12,716.60, and at an 18% income-tax assumption you keep roughly $62,227.90 a year ($1,296.41 per week worked). The figures are examples, not typical earnings.
Your numbers
Result
Method and limits
Self-employment tax. The IRS describes the combined rate as 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. The amount subject to the tax is 92.35% of net earnings from self-employment, and you can deduct one-half of it when figuring adjusted gross income. The Social Security part stops at the annual earnings base, which the Social Security Administration lists as $184,500 for 2026. Tax usually applies once net earnings reach $400.
Formulas. Net profit = revenue − fuel − other costs. SE tax = 12.4% × min(net × 0.9235, $184,500) + 2.9% × net × 0.9235. Income tax = your rate × (net − half of SE tax). Take-home = net − SE tax − income tax.
Limits. The income-tax rate is your own assumption, applied flat. Real federal tax is graduated and depends on filing status, deductions (including the standard deduction and any qualified business income deduction), and other income. The 0.9% additional Medicare tax and state self-employment rules are not modelled. This page is not tax advice; use IRS guidance or a preparer.
Sources
- IRS Topic No. 554, Self-employment tax (retrieved 2026-10-15): 15.3% combined rate (12.4% + 2.9%), 92.35% of net earnings, $400 threshold, deduction of one-half.
- Social Security Administration, Contribution and Benefit Base (retrieved 2026-10-15): $184,500 for 2026 (up from $176,100 in 2025).
FAQ
How much do owner-operators take home?
It depends entirely on rate per mile, miles, fuel, and fixed costs. This page uses only your figures and shows no average earnings.
How is self-employment tax calculated for an owner-operator?
15.3% (12.4% Social Security, 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of net profit, with the Social Security part capped at the annual earnings base, per IRS and SSA.
Does this include income tax?
Only as a flat rate you choose. Real income tax is graduated, so use this for a rough planning figure and confirm with a preparer.
Why is take-home per week shown?
Because most owner-operators do not work all 52 weeks. Enter the weeks you actually run.