Moving to the US from the UK: What Happens to Your Pay
Updated May 31, 2026 · 7 min read
Moving from the UK to the US usually means a bigger take-home percentage — but the headline number hides two things that can flip the maths: healthcare and your choice of state. Here’s what actually changes about your pay.
The headline: more in your pocket
On a like-for-like 100k salary, US take-home is around 79% (in a no-income-tax state) versus roughly 69% in the UK — see UK vs US salary.
What changes in your pay
- FICA replaces National Insurance. A flat 7.65% (Social Security + Medicare) instead of NI’s 8%/2%.
- Standard deduction instead of the personal allowance. $15,000 (single, 2025) comes off before federal tax.
- State income tax. The big variable — 0% in Texas or Florida, 10%+ in California or New York. Choose carefully; see take-home by state.
- 401(k) instead of a workplace pension — often with an employer match.
Tax residency & admin
- You’ll generally become a US tax resident, taxed on worldwide income; the UK may apply split-year treatment.
- Get a Social Security Number (SSN) — you can’t really be paid without one.
- US reporting rules (FATCA/FBAR) can affect UK accounts and ISAs — take advice.
💸 Moving money between countries?
Moving savings from a UK account to a US one — or getting paid across both during the transition — A service like Wise gives you the real mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees — typically far cheaper than a high-street bank, and it works across the US, UK, Australia and Canada.
Run your numbers
Model your US offer with the US calculator (pick your state), compare it to your UK pay with the UK calculator, or see the full take-home by country picture.
Calculate your own take-home pay
Free, instant, no signup — for the US, UK, Australia & Canada.