Skip to content
ssalocator.com

Social Security Wage Base (Taxable Maximum)

Updated for 2027 · Source: Social Security Administration

2027 wage base
$192,300
2026 wage base
$184,500
employee tax rate
6.2%
max 2027 employee tax
$11,923

The Social Security wage base is the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security (OASDI) payroll tax in a year. For 2027 it is $192,300, up from $184,500 in 2026. You and your employer each pay 6.2% on earnings up to this cap, so the most an employee contributes in 2027 is $11,923. The cap rises almost every year as average U.S. wages grow.

Wage base by year, 1937-2027

Wage base history

Year Taxable maximum
2027 $192,300
2026 $184,500
2025 $176,100
2024 $168,600
2023 $160,200
2022 $147,000
2021 $142,800
2020 $137,700
2019 $132,900
2018 $128,400
2017 $127,200
2016 $118,500
2015 $118,500
2014 $117,000
2013 $113,700
2012 $110,100
2011 $106,800
2010 $106,800
2009 $106,800
2008 $102,000
2007 $97,500
2006 $94,200
2005 $90,000
2004 $87,900
2003 $87,000
2002 $84,900
2001 $80,400
2000 $76,200
1999 $72,600
1998 $68,400
1997 $65,400
1996 $62,700
1995 $61,200
1994 $60,600
1993 $57,600
1992 $55,500
1991 $53,400
1990 $51,300
1989 $48,000
1988 $45,000
1987 $43,800
1986 $42,000
1985 $39,600
1984 $37,800
1983 $35,700
1982 $32,400
1981 $29,700
1980 $25,900
1979 $22,900
1978 $17,700
1977 $16,500
1976 $15,300
1975 $14,100
1974 $13,200
1973 $10,800
1972 $9,000
1971 $7,800
1970 $7,800
1969 $7,800
1968 $7,800
1967 $6,600
1966 $6,600
1965 $4,800
1964 $4,800
1963 $4,800
1962 $4,800
1961 $4,800
1960 $4,800
1959 $4,800
1958 $4,200
1957 $4,200
1956 $4,200
1955 $4,200
1954 $3,600
1953 $3,600
1952 $3,600
1951 $3,600
1950 $3,000
1949 $3,000
1948 $3,000
1947 $3,000
1946 $3,000
1945 $3,000
1944 $3,000
1943 $3,000
1942 $3,000
1941 $3,000
1940 $3,000
1939 $3,000
1938 $3,000
1937 $3,000

Frequently asked questions

What is the Social Security wage base for 2027?
The 2027 Social Security wage base, also called the taxable maximum or contribution base, is $192,300. Earnings above that amount in a year are not subject to the 6.2% Social Security (OASDI) tax.
How is the wage base set each year?
The taxable maximum is indexed to growth in the national average wage index (AWI). When average wages rise, the wage base rises the following year, which is why it climbs almost every year.
How much Social Security tax will I pay at most?
Employees pay 6.2% on earnings up to the wage base, so the most an employee pays in 2027 is $11,923. Employers match it, and the self-employed pay both halves (12.4%).
Does the wage base apply to Medicare tax too?
No. The 1.45% Medicare tax has no wage cap, it applies to all earnings, and high earners pay an extra 0.9% above certain thresholds.

Related: maximum benefit · bend points · earnings test