Pay Stub Error Calculator — Estimate Missing Pay
Compare expected gross pay with the gross pay shown on one pay stub. Use gross pay before taxes and deductions so the comparison is apples-to-apples.
Quick example: expected gross pay $1,000 − pay-stub gross pay $920 = $80 difference. For hourly straight-time pay, expected gross may be hours × rate; add overtime, bonuses, commissions, or differentials separately when they apply.
On this page: Common pay stub errors · What to do next · FAQ
Related help: Unpaid wages calculator · Back pay calculator · Overtime pay calculator · Unpaid breaks calculator
Use gross pay, not take-home pay. This calculator does not diagnose tax, benefit, garnishment, or other deduction errors.
Estimated pay difference: —
Common Pay Stub Errors That Cause Missing Pay
Pay stubs can contain errors at multiple points in the payroll process. These are the most frequently occurring issues:
- Incorrect hours recorded: Timekeeping systems rounding down, missing clock-ins, or supervisors editing time records. If your pay stub shows fewer hours than you worked, use the Unpaid Wages Calculator for a more precise estimate.
- Wrong pay rate applied: After a raise, promotion, or rate correction, the new rate may not be entered in the payroll system in time — meaning you're paid at the old rate for one or more pay periods.
- Auto-deducted breaks not worked: Timekeeping systems that automatically deduct 30 minutes for lunch regardless of whether the employee took the break. If you worked through lunch, the deducted time is unpaid. Use the Unpaid Breaks Calculator.
- Overtime not paid or underpaid: Overtime hours paid at the regular rate instead of 1.5×, or overtime calculated on base pay only (excluding bonuses or differentials that should be included). Use the Overtime Pay Calculator.
- Incorrect deductions: Tax withholding errors, duplicate benefit deductions, or garnishment amounts exceeding legal limits can reduce net pay below what it should be. Note that this calculator compares gross pay — deduction errors require reviewing the deductions line-by-line on your stub.
- Missing pay components: Promised bonuses, commissions, shift differentials, or expense reimbursements that didn't appear on the pay stub.
- Misclassification affecting overtime: If you've been classified as exempt (salaried/no overtime) but your job duties don't meet the legal exemption test, entire weeks of overtime may be missing from your pay stub. See the Misclassification Cost Calculator.
This calculator estimates the gross pay shortfall for a single pay period. For errors spanning multiple pay periods, use the Back Pay Calculator to total the cumulative underpayment.
What to Do When You Find a Pay Stub Error
- Confirm you compared gross to gross. Net pay can differ because of taxes, benefits, garnishments, and other deductions.
- Save the records. Keep the pay stub, timecard or schedule, rate notice, and any document supporting the expected amount.
- Identify the component. Missing hours, wrong rate, overtime, bonus/commission, or a deduction problem may require different calculations.
- Contact payroll or HR in writing. State the pay period, the specific difference, and the supporting records.
- Escalate if unresolved. If a confirmed wage shortage is not corrected, review your state labor agency or the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, depending on the issue.
For recurring wage shortages across several pay periods, use the Back Pay Calculator after identifying each component and rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pay stub error?
A pay stub error is a discrepancy in earnings, hours, rates, or deductions shown on a paycheck statement. This calculator focuses only on the difference between expected gross pay and actual gross pay.
How do I estimate missing pay from a pay stub?
Compare expected gross pay with the gross pay shown on the stub. For simple straight-time hourly work, expected gross may be hours × rate. If overtime, bonuses, commissions, or differentials apply, include those correctly before making the comparison.
Should I compare gross pay or take-home pay?
Use gross pay. Take-home pay includes taxes, benefits, garnishments, and other deductions, so comparing net pay to expected gross pay can create a false discrepancy.
Can pay stub errors include overtime issues?
Yes. Overtime can be missing entirely or calculated at the wrong regular rate. Use the Overtime Pay Calculator for an overtime-specific estimate.
What should I do if I find a recurring pay stub error?
Keep the pay stub, time records, rate notices, and written payroll communications. Request correction in writing. If the wage shortage remains unresolved, review the wage-claim process that applies in your jurisdiction.
Is this calculator legally accurate?
This calculator only subtracts actual gross pay from expected gross pay. It does not determine whether a wage violation occurred or calculate taxes, deductions, penalties, damages, or jurisdiction-specific remedies.
Not sure which calculator fits your situation? See all wage and pay calculators.