Salary basics
Gross pay vs. net pay
Gross pay is what you earn before deductions. Net pay is what remains after taxes and other deductions.
Your annual offer usually describes gross pay. A paycheck starts from gross wages for that period, then subtracts items such as federal withholding, employee Social Security and Medicare, state or local tax, insurance premiums and retirement contributions.
That is why two people on the same salary can receive different net pay. Filing status, location, benefits, retirement choices and payroll forms all matter.