How Much Child Support Will I Pay in Nevada? Income-by-Income Breakdown
By Jennifer Setters, J.D., Managing Attorney, Nevada Bar No. 13126 · Reviewed by [Reviewing Attorney] · Last verified May 1, 2026
Quick answer: How much child support will I pay in Nevada? The amount depends on your gross monthly income (income before taxes — not your take-home pay), the number of children, and your custody arrangement. Nevada calculates support under a tiered formula in NAC 425.140: for one child, the obligor pays 16% on the first $6,000 of gross monthly income, 8% on income from $6,001 to $10,000, and 4% on every dollar above $10,000. Two and three-child rates are higher in each bracket. There is no income cap. The minimum is $100 per month per child under NRS 125B.080(4). The worked examples below show the math for each common salary level.
Want the answer without doing the math? Use our Nevada Child Support Calculator to estimate support based on your gross monthly income, the number of children, and your custody schedule.
Key facts at a glance
- Tiered formula (NAC 425.140): 16% / 8% / 4% for one child across three income brackets — see the percentage table below.
- Gross income, not net. The percentages apply to your income before taxes and personal deductions, defined at NAC 425.025.
- No maximum cap. The presumptive ceiling that existed before February 1, 2020 was eliminated. The 4% top tier applies to every dollar above $10,000/month.
- Minimum: $100 per month per child under NRS 125B.080(4), unless the obligor qualifies for the low-income schedule under NAC 425.145.
- 50/50 joint custody still triggers payment. The higher earner pays the lower earner the difference between their two formula amounts (Wright v. Osburn offset).
On this page
- The Nevada child support formula explained
- Percentage schedule (NAC 425.140)
- Quick-reference table by annual income
- If I make $1,000 a week, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $40,000 a year, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $50,000 a year, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $60,000 a year, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $70,000 a year, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $80,000 a year, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $100,000 a year, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $150,000 a year, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $200,000 a year, how much child support will I pay?
- If I make $500,000+ a year, how much child support will I pay?
- Does overtime, bonus, or self-employment income count?
- What if I’m a low-income obligor in Nevada?
- Does 50/50 joint custody change the amount?
- When can a court deviate from the formula?
- How do I modify an existing order?
- How do I calculate my exact amount?
- Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Nevada?
Nevada calculates child support under a tiered percentage-of-income model adopted on February 1, 2020, codified at NAC 425.140. The percentage is applied to the paying parent’s gross monthly income — meaning income before taxes and personal deductions, not net or take-home pay.
The model works like a progressive tax bracket. Each portion of income is multiplied by its own tier rate, and the results are added together. Three things determine the base obligation:
- The obligor parent’s gross monthly income (NAC 425.025 defines what counts as income — wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income net of legitimate business expenses, pension and retirement distributions, Social Security disability and old-age benefits, investment income, and most other revenue sources).
- The number of children covered by the order.
- The custody arrangement — primary physical custody or joint physical custody (defined as each parent having the child at least 40% of overnights, per Rivero v. Rivero, 125 Nev. 410 (2009)).
Three statutory floors and ceilings to know before reading the income examples below:
- Floor: $100 per month per child (NRS 125B.080(4)). The court may order at least this amount, and if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without good cause, the court may impute income under NAC 425.125.
- No maximum cap. The presumptive maximum that existed before February 1, 2020 was eliminated. The 4% top-tier rate continues without limit on income above $10,000 per month.
- Low-income schedule (NAC 425.145). If the court determines an obligor’s economic circumstances limit the ability to pay the formula amount, the support obligation is established under the low-income schedule published annually by the Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts. The schedule is based on the current federal poverty guidelines and is republished each year by March 31.
Percentage schedule (NAC 425.140)
The table below shows the exact percentages that apply to each tier of monthly income for one through three children. For four children, add 2% to Tier 1, 1% to Tier 2, and 1% to Tier 3 (total: 28% / 14% / 7%). Each additional child beyond four adds 2% to Tier 1, 1% to Tier 2, and 0.5% to Tier 3.
| Income Tier | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: First $6,000/month | 16% | 22% | 26% |
| Tier 2: $6,001 – $10,000/month | 8% | 11% | 13% |
| Tier 3: Over $10,000/month | 4% | 6% | 6% |
Source: Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 425, Section 425.140 (effective February 1, 2020).
How the tiered formula works (visual)
Quick-reference table by annual income
The following table consolidates every income example below into one chart for fast comparison. All figures are calculated under NAC 425.140 using the obligor parent’s gross monthly income.
| Annual Income | Gross Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000/week (~$52K) | $4,333 | $693 | $953 | $1,127 |
| $40,000 | $3,333 | $533 | $733 | $867 |
| $50,000 | $4,167 | $667 | $917 | $1,083 |
| $60,000 | $5,000 | $800 | $1,100 | $1,300 |
| $70,000 | $5,833 | $933 | $1,283 | $1,517 |
| $80,000 | $6,667 | $1,013 | $1,393 | $1,647 |
| $100,000 | $8,333 | $1,147 | $1,577 | $1,863 |
| $150,000 | $12,500 | $1,380 | $1,910 | $2,230 |
| $200,000 | $16,667 | $1,547 | $2,160 | $2,480 |
| $500,000 | $41,667 | $2,547 | $3,660 | $3,980 |
Note: These are base-formula amounts only. Actual orders may differ based on health insurance, work-related childcare, special needs, transportation costs, imputed income, business-income complexities, and deviations under NAC 425.150.
If I make $1,000 a week, how much child support will I pay in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $1,000 per week in Nevada, your gross monthly income is approximately $4,333 ($1,000 × 52 weeks ÷ 12 months). All of that income falls within Tier 1, so the calculation is a single multiplication: $693 per month for one child, $953 for two children, and $1,127 for three children.
The math under NAC 425.140:
- 1 child: $4,333 × 16% = $693/month
- 2 children: $4,333 × 22% = $953/month
- 3 children: $4,333 × 26% = $1,127/month
Because $4,333 is below the $6,000 ceiling of Tier 1, only the first-tier rate applies — Tiers 2 and 3 are irrelevant at this income level. If your weekly pay fluctuates (overtime, commissions, tips), the court determines a representative gross monthly income under NAC 425.120 by averaging recent pay periods or pay stubs.
How much child support will I pay if I make $40,000 a year in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $40,000 per year in Nevada, your gross monthly income is approximately $3,333, and the entire amount falls within Tier 1. The Nevada child support obligation is approximately $533 for one child, $733 for two, and $867 for three.
Reminder on gross vs. net. These calculations apply to your gross income — your salary before taxes, retirement contributions, and personal deductions — not your take-home pay. Your monthly support obligation will represent a larger percentage of your net (take-home) income than it does of your gross. NAC 425.025 defines what counts as gross income.
The math:
- 1 child: $3,333 × 16% = $533/month
- 2 children: $3,333 × 22% = $733/month
- 3 children: $3,333 × 26% = $867/month
How much child support will I pay if I make $50,000 a year in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $50,000 per year, your gross monthly income is approximately $4,167, all within Tier 1. The Nevada child support obligation is approximately $667 for one child, $917 for two, and $1,083 for three.
The math:
- 1 child: $4,167 × 16% = $667/month
- 2 children: $4,167 × 22% = $917/month
- 3 children: $4,167 × 26% = $1,083/month
$50,000 is near typical full-time individual earnings in the Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas wage market, so this bracket reflects what an average Nevada wage earner can expect to pay or receive.
How much child support will I pay if I make $60,000 a year in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $60,000 per year, your gross monthly income is $5,000, all within Tier 1. The Nevada child support obligation is $800 for one child, $1,100 for two, and $1,300 for three.
The math:
- 1 child: $5,000 × 16% = $800/month
- 2 children: $5,000 × 22% = $1,100/month
- 3 children: $5,000 × 26% = $1,300/month
How much child support will I pay if I make $70,000 a year in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $70,000 per year, your gross monthly income is approximately $5,833, still within Tier 1. The Nevada child support obligation is approximately $933 for one child, $1,283 for two, and $1,517 for three.
The math:
- 1 child: $5,833 × 16% = $933/month
- 2 children: $5,833 × 22% = $1,283/month
- 3 children: $5,833 × 26% = $1,517/month
How much child support will I pay if I make $80,000 a year in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $80,000 per year, your gross monthly income is approximately $6,667, which crosses into Tier 2. Income up to $6,000 is calculated at the Tier 1 rate, and the remaining $667 is calculated at the Tier 2 rate. The result: $1,013 for one child, $1,393 for two, and $1,647 for three.
The math:
- 1 child: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($667 × 8%) = $960 + $53 = $1,013/month
- 2 children: ($6,000 × 22%) + ($667 × 11%) = $1,320 + $73 = $1,393/month
- 3 children: ($6,000 × 26%) + ($667 × 13%) = $1,560 + $87 = $1,647/month
This is the first income level where the tiered structure starts to matter. The marginal $667 of income is calculated at 8% rather than 16% — meaningful relief that compounds at higher salaries.
How much child support will I pay if I make $100,000 a year in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $100,000 per year, your gross monthly income is approximately $8,333, sitting fully within Tier 2. Income up to $6,000 is calculated at the Tier 1 rate, and the remaining $2,333 is calculated at the Tier 2 rate. The result: $1,147 for one child, $1,577 for two, and $1,863 for three.
The math:
- 1 child: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($2,333 × 8%) = $960 + $187 = $1,147/month
- 2 children: ($6,000 × 22%) + ($2,333 × 11%) = $1,320 + $257 = $1,577/month
- 3 children: ($6,000 × 26%) + ($2,333 × 13%) = $1,560 + $303 = $1,863/month
Earning over $100,000 with bonuses, business income, or fluctuating pay? The formula outcome can change significantly when overtime, bonuses, deferred compensation, or self-employment income are involved. Talk to a Las Vegas child support attorney before relying on a calculator estimate.
How much child support will I pay if I make $150,000 a year in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $150,000 per year, your gross monthly income is approximately $12,500, which spans all three tiers. The first $6,000 is taxed at the Tier 1 rate, the next $4,000 at Tier 2, and the remaining $2,500 at Tier 3. The result: $1,380 for one child, $1,910 for two, and $2,230 for three.
The math:
- 1 child: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($4,000 × 8%) + ($2,500 × 4%) = $960 + $320 + $100 = $1,380/month
- 2 children: ($6,000 × 22%) + ($4,000 × 11%) + ($2,500 × 6%) = $1,320 + $440 + $150 = $1,910/month
- 3 children: ($6,000 × 26%) + ($4,000 × 13%) + ($2,500 × 6%) = $1,560 + $520 + $150 = $2,230/month
How much child support will I pay if I make $200,000 a year in Nevada?
Answer: If you earn $200,000 per year, your gross monthly income is approximately $16,667. The first $6,000 is calculated at Tier 1, the next $4,000 at Tier 2, and the remaining $6,667 at Tier 3. The result: $1,547 for one child, $2,160 for two, and $2,480 for three.
The math:
- 1 child: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($4,000 × 8%) + ($6,667 × 4%) = $960 + $320 + $267 = $1,547/month
- 2 children: ($6,000 × 22%) + ($4,000 × 11%) + ($6,667 × 6%) = $1,320 + $440 + $400 = $2,160/month
- 3 children: ($6,000 × 26%) + ($4,000 × 13%) + ($6,667 × 6%) = $1,560 + $520 + $400 = $2,480/month
How much child support will I pay if I make $500,000+ a year in Nevada? (High earners)
Answer: Nevada eliminated its presumptive child support cap on February 1, 2020. Every dollar above $10,000 per month is multiplied by the Tier 3 rate without limit — 4% per month for one child, 6% for two children, 6% for three children. For a $500,000 annual salary ($41,667/month), the obligation is approximately $2,547 for one child, $3,660 for two, and $3,980 for three.
The math for $500,000/year:
- 1 child: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($4,000 × 8%) + ($31,667 × 4%) = $960 + $320 + $1,267 = $2,547/month
- 2 children: ($6,000 × 22%) + ($4,000 × 11%) + ($31,667 × 6%) = $1,320 + $440 + $1,900 = $3,660/month
- 3 children: ($6,000 × 26%) + ($4,000 × 13%) + ($31,667 × 6%) = $1,560 + $520 + $1,900 = $3,980/month
High earners often petition the court for a downward deviation under NAC 425.150 on the grounds that the formula amount exceeds the actual reasonable needs of the children. Courts can grant the deviation if the obligor proves the formula amount is excessive given the children’s specific lifestyle, education costs, and standard of living. The burden is on the moving party. The Nevada Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Matkulak v. Davis also confirmed that any upward deviation based on relative income cannot exceed what the lower-earning parent would owe if the roles were reversed.
Does overtime, bonus, or self-employment income count toward Nevada child support?
Answer: Yes — most of it. Under NAC 425.025, gross monthly income for Nevada child support includes salary and wages, overtime pay if it is “substantial, consistent, and can be accurately determined,” commissions, bonuses, tips, self-employment income (revenue minus legitimate business expenses), pensions and retirement distributions, Social Security disability and old-age insurance benefits, interest and investment income, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation income-replacement awards, and most other earned and unearned income. Means-tested benefits — SSI, SNAP, TANF — are excluded.
For variable pay (overtime, commissions, tips, bonuses, seasonal work), Nevada courts typically average the income over a representative period — usually 12 to 24 months — to produce a stable monthly figure. Pay stubs, tax returns, 1099s, and bank statements are the standard exhibits.
For self-employed parents, the court calculates gross income as revenue minus reasonable business expenses. Excessive personal write-offs run through a business, deferred compensation, undistributed business earnings, and “perks” with personal value (vehicles, cell phones, travel) can all be added back into income. Courts have broad authority under NAC 425.125 to impute income when an obligor is voluntarily underemployed without good cause.
What if I’m a low-income obligor in Nevada?
Answer: If the court determines that an obligor’s total economic circumstances limit the ability to pay the formula amount under NAC 425.140, the court establishes the obligation under the low-income schedule in NAC 425.145 instead. The schedule is published annually by the Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts (by March 31 each year) and is based on the current federal poverty guidelines.
If an obligor’s gross monthly income falls below the lowest level on the low-income schedule, the court has discretion to set an appropriate amount based on the obligor’s overall financial situation, balancing self-support against the duty to support the child. Unemployment alone is not grounds to drop below the formula — courts will look closely at why the parent is not earning, and may impute income under NAC 425.125 if the underemployment is voluntary and without good cause.
Incarceration of 180 consecutive days or more is treated as a substantial change in circumstances under NAC 425.155 and is not treated as voluntary unemployment.
Does 50/50 joint custody change how much child support I pay in Nevada?
Answer: Yes. In a Nevada joint physical custody arrangement (each parent has at least 40% of overnights), the court calculates each parent’s tiered formula obligation separately and the higher-earning parent pays the lower-earning parent the difference between the two amounts. This is the Wright v. Osburn offset, codified at NAC 425.115. Even with truly equal time, the higher earner pays the lower earner — the obligation does not zero out.
Example: Parent A earns $8,000/month and Parent B earns $5,000/month, with one child in joint custody. Under NAC 425.140, Parent A’s obligation is $1,120 ($960 + $160) and Parent B’s is $800. Parent A pays Parent B the $320 difference each month.
For a deeper explanation of why joint custody still triggers a payment, see Why Do I Pay Child Support With 50/50 Custody?
Unsure which number applies to your situation? Nevada child support can change based on custody, health insurance, work-related childcare, transportation costs, business income, deviations, and imputation. Talk to a Las Vegas child support attorney before relying on a calculator estimate.
When can a Nevada court deviate from the child support formula?
Answer: NAC 425.150 lists specific enumerated factors a Nevada court may consider when deciding whether to set child support above or below the tiered formula amount. Common deviation grounds include the child’s special educational or medical needs, work-related childcare costs, health insurance premiums, the relative income and assets of each parent, the cost of transportation between the parents’ homes, the legal responsibility of either party to support others, and the obligor’s overall ability to pay.
The Nevada Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Martinez v. Martinez changed how travel costs are handled. The Court held that transportation expenses for visitation must be considered within the child support calculation under NAC 425.150 — not ordered separately outside that framework. This matters for families where one parent has relocated within Nevada or to another state. Travel between Las Vegas, Reno, and out-of-state visitation is a recognized deviation factor.
Deviation requires the court to make specific written findings. A bare statement that the formula amount is unreasonable is not enough — the order must identify the factor relied on and explain how it justifies the variance.
How do I modify an existing support order?
Answer: Either parent can move to modify a Nevada child support order under NRS 125B.145. Two paths trigger review: (1) any time there is a material change in circumstances, or (2) automatically every three years on request. A change of 20% or more in a parent’s gross monthly income is specifically defined by statute as a changed circumstance warranting review.
Modified orders take effect from the date the motion is filed — not retroactively. If you lose income but wait six months to file, you remain liable for the higher amount during those six months. File as soon as the change occurs.
The Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County uses a Financial Disclosure Form (FDF) to establish the new gross monthly income. Pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements are typically required exhibits.
How do I calculate my exact amount?
Answer: Use our free Nevada Child Support Calculator to enter your gross monthly income, the number of children, and your custody arrangement for a real-time estimate under NAC 425.140. The calculator handles primary custody, joint custody offsets, and the multi-tier math automatically.
For figures the court will accept as evidence, you will need to complete a Financial Disclosure Form. The estimates on this page and in the calculator are for planning purposes — the court is the only authority that can issue a binding child support order, and it retains discretion to deviate from the formula under NAC 425.150 in your specific case.
Frequently asked questions
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Is Nevada child support based on gross or net income?
Nevada child support is based on the obligor parent’s gross monthly income — income before taxes and personal deductions — not net or take-home pay. NAC 425.025 defines what counts as gross income, and the percentages in NAC 425.140 apply to that gross figure.
Is there a maximum child support cap in Nevada?
No. Nevada eliminated its presumptive maximum on February 1, 2020. The 4% Tier 3 rate (one child) applies to every dollar of gross monthly income above $10,000 with no upper limit. Courts can grant downward deviations under NAC 425.150 in genuine cases of excess.
What is the minimum child support in Nevada?
The statutory floor is $100 per month per child under NRS 125B.080(4). If the court determines the obligor’s economic circumstances limit the ability to pay the formula amount, the obligation is established under the low-income schedule in NAC 425.145 instead. The schedule is published annually by the Nevada AOC and is based on the federal poverty guidelines.
Do I pay child support with 50/50 custody in Nevada?
Usually, yes. In joint physical custody (each parent with at least 40% of overnights), the court calculates each parent’s formula obligation separately under NAC 425.140 and the higher-earning parent pays the lower-earning parent the difference. The obligation only zeroes out if both parents earn the same gross income. This is called the Wright v. Osburn offset and is codified at NAC 425.115.
How often can I modify a Nevada child support order?
Either parent can move to modify under NRS 125B.145 whenever there is a material change in circumstances, or automatically every three years on request. A 20% or greater change in a parent’s gross monthly income is specifically defined as a changed circumstance. Modified orders take effect from the date the motion is filed — never retroactively.
Does overtime, bonus, or commission income count toward Nevada child support?
Yes, when the variable income is substantial, consistent, and can be accurately measured (NAC 425.025). Courts typically average 12 to 24 months of pay records to produce a stable monthly figure. One-time bonuses or short-term overtime spikes carry less weight than consistent year-over-year variable pay.
How is support calculated if I’m self-employed?
Gross income for self-employed parents is revenue minus reasonable, ordinary business expenses. Personal expenses paid through the business, deferred compensation, undistributed earnings, and personal-use perks (vehicles, phones, travel) can be added back into income at the court’s discretion. Two recent years of tax returns and a profit-and-loss statement are typically required.
Does support include health insurance and childcare?
Health insurance premiums for the child are required to be addressed in every Nevada child support order under NAC 425.135. Work-related childcare costs and unreimbursed medical expenses are calculated separately and added to the base formula amount to form the total support obligation. Special educational or medical needs may be additional adjustments under NAC 425.150.
Talk to a Nevada family law attorney about your case
The numbers above show what the Nevada formula produces at each income level. They do not account for the deviation factors, business-income complexities, imputed income arguments, or custody disputes that change real-world orders.
Gastelum Attorneys is a Las Vegas family law firm with six licensed Nevada attorneys handling child support, custody, divorce, and related matters across Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Our team has handled more than 5,000 family law cases. We offer bilingual representation in English and Spanish.
Schedule a consultation with a Nevada child support attorney →
Related reading:
- Nevada Child Support Calculator — instant estimate for your income
- Why Do I Pay Child Support With 50/50 Custody? — how the offset works
- Average Child Support Payment in Nevada — typical amounts in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas Family Lawyer — full-service family law representation
- Las Vegas Divorce Lawyer — divorce and family law overview
Sources and statutory citations
- NAC Chapter 425 — Support of Dependent Children
- NAC 425.025 — Definition of “gross income”
- NAC 425.115 — Joint physical custody offset method
- NAC 425.120 — Determination of monthly gross income
- NAC 425.125 — Imputation of income to underemployed or unemployed obligor
- NAC 425.140 — Tiered percentage schedule (the core formula)
- NAC 425.145 — Low-income obligor schedule
- NAC 425.150 — Adjustment factors and deviation grounds
- NRS 125B.070 — General child support obligation statute
- NRS 125B.080 — Determination of amount; minimum $100/month/child
- NRS 125B.145 — Three-year review and material change in circumstances
- Wright v. Osburn, 114 Nev. 1367, 970 P.2d 1071 (1998) — joint custody offset
- Wesley v. Foster, 119 Nev. 110, 65 P.3d 251 (2003) — applied to NAC 425.115
- Rivero v. Rivero, 125 Nev. 410 (2009) — 40% threshold for joint physical custody
- Matkulak v. Davis (Nevada Supreme Court, 2022) — upward deviation cannot exceed what the lower earner would owe with reversed roles
- Martinez v. Martinez (Nevada Supreme Court, 2024) — transportation costs for visitation must be considered within the child support calculation under NAC 425.150, not ordered separately
This article is general legal information about Nevada child support law and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. The figures above estimate base child support only — they do not include childcare, health insurance, medical support, arrears, deviations, imputed income, or court-specific findings of fact. Every case turns on its specific circumstances. Speak with a licensed Nevada family law attorney before making decisions based on these numbers.
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