Pay Stub Sample — Real Check Stub Examples, Pictures & Annotated Breakdowns

Looking for check stub examples and samples of check stubs? Whether you want to see a sample of check stub documents to understand your own paycheck, need pictures of pay stubs for reference, or want free check stub samplesto review — this guide provides annotated, realistic check stubs examples for every worker type: salaried, hourly, biweekly, and self-employed.

Each check stub example below shows real-world data with every section explained. You'll see examples of check stubs from different pay frequencies and employment types so you know exactly what to expect on your own stub. We also cover images of pay stubs, images of paystubs, images of paycheck stubs, and example payslip formats for international workers.

What a Pay Stub Looks Like

Before diving into specific check stub examples, here's the universal structure every pay stub follows — whether it's from ADP, QuickBooks, Gusto, or any other payroll provider. When you see a picture of a pay stub, picture of a paycheck stub, or picture of pay stub documents, they all contain these sections:

For a complete guide to every section, see how to read a pay stub. For abbreviation meanings, see pay stub abbreviations.

Sample #1: Salaried Employee Pay Stub (Texas)

This sample of check stubs shows a semi-monthly pay stub for an $80,000/year salaried employee in Texas (no state income tax). This is what a typical salaried check stub example looks like:

Key takeaway: On an $80K salary in Texas, this employee takes home $2,303 per semi-monthly paycheck — about 69% of gross. No state tax helps, but federal tax, FICA, and benefits still reduce gross by 31%. For salary vs hourly differences, see our guide.

Sample #2: Hourly Employee Pay Stub With Overtime

This hourly check stub example shows a biweekly pay stub for a $22/hour worker in California with 5 hours of overtime:

Key takeaway: Notice the overtime line: 5 hours at 1.5× the regular rate ($33/hr vs $22/hr). California adds state income tax (SIT) and State Disability Insurance (SDI). This hourly worker keeps about 67% of gross. For overtime calculations, see overtime pay stubs.

Sample #3: Self-Employed / 1099 Pay Stub

Self-employed workers create their own pay stubs for income verification. This sample of check stub documents for a freelance graphic designer shows how self-employment tax (15.3%) replaces the employee-only FICA (7.65%):

Self-employed workers pay the full 15.3% FICA (both employee and employer portions). For complete self-employment tax guidance, see self-employed pay stubs.

Sample #4: Biweekly Salaried Pay Stub (New York)

This sample shows a biweekly pay stub for a $65,000/year salaried employee in New York — one of the highest state tax jurisdictions:

Key takeaway: NYC workers face triple taxation: federal + state + city. This $65K salary yields only $1,527 per biweekly paycheck — about 61% of gross. Compare this to the Texas sample where the same salary would yield roughly $1,780 (no state/city tax).

Check Stub Sections Explained

Here's a detailed explanation of every section you'll find on examples of check stubs — and what to verify on your own:

For every abbreviation code you might see, visit our comprehensive pay stub abbreviations guide.

Pictures & Images of Pay Stubs

Many people search for pictures of pay stubs, pictures of paystubs, pictures of paycheck stubs, images of pay stubs, images of paystubs, images of paycheck stubs, picture of a pay stub, picture of a paycheck stub, picture of pay stub, and picture of paystub to understand what their own stub should look like.

Rather than searching for generic stock images, you can generate a real, professional pay stub sample with your own numbers using CleanPaystubs' generator. This gives you an actual formatted document — not just a picture — that you can download, print, and use for income verification.

Invoice Examples for Self-Employed

Examples of invoices for self employed workers differ from pay stubs because invoices are what you send to clients to request payment, while pay stubs document income you've already received. Many self-employed workers use both: invoices to bill clients and pay stubs to document their own income for verification purposes.

For complete self-employed documentation guidance, including how to create pay stubs from your invoices and 1099s, see self-employed pay stubs.

Free Check Stub Samples & Downloads

Looking for free check stub samples? You have several options depending on what you need:

Payslip Examples (International)

An example payslip outside the United States follows a similar structure but uses different terminology and tax systems. Here's how payslip examples, payslips examples, and examples of payslips compare across countries. Whether you're looking for a payslips example, payslips sample, payslips samples, sample payslip, sample payslips, sample of payslips, sample pay slip, sample of pay slip, sample of pay slips, or sample wage slips — the core structure is universal. Also commonly searched: sample of a check stub, picture of paystub, sample pay slips, payslips examples, payroll samples, samples of payroll, what do check stubs look like, paystubs example, paycheck sample, paycheck samples, and 1099 pay stub sample documents.

Regardless of country, all payslips show the same core information: what you earned, what was deducted, and what you take home. CleanPaystubs currently generates U.S.-formatted pay stubs with proper FICA, federal, and state tax calculations. For international tax considerations, consult a tax professional.

How to Verify a Pay Stub Sample

Whether you're checking your own stub or reviewing a sample, here's how to verify the math is correct:

For a deeper walkthrough, see how to read a pay stub and gross pay vs net pay.

Payroll Journal Entry Samples & Verification Letters

Beyond pay stubs, employers and accountants also work with payroll journal entries and verification documents. A payroll journal entry sample (or sample payroll journal entry, sample journal entry for payroll, sample payroll journal entries) records payroll expenses in the accounting ledger. A payroll sample or payroll samples in accounting typically shows debits to wage/salary expense and credits to tax liabilities and cash. A sample employer verification letter is a document HR provides to confirm employment and income.

Frequently Asked Questions