California Paycheck Calculator — Find Out Your Take-Home Pay
Calculate your net salary in a click. Know your exact take-home pay after federal tax, California state tax, FICA, and SDI deductions — updated for 2026.
Enter Your Details
Estimated Net Pay
$0.00
per pay period
| Item | Per Period | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Enter your details and click Calculate Paycheck to see your breakdown. | ||
* Estimates only. Actual withholding may vary based on W-4 elections, additional income, credits, and local taxes. Consult a tax professional for advice.
What is a California Paycheck Calculator?
A California paycheck calculator is an online tool that estimates your net take-home pay by applying all relevant federal and state tax withholdings to your gross wages. It accounts for federal income tax, California state income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and California SDI (State Disability Insurance).
California has a uniquely complex payroll tax environment — it combines some of the highest state income tax rates in the US (up to 12.3%), mandatory SDI contributions, and the full burden of federal withholding. Understanding your real take-home pay is essential for financial planning, salary negotiations, and budgeting.
California Tax Rates for 2026
California State Income Tax Brackets (Single Filer)
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $10,412 | 1% |
| $10,412 – $24,684 | 2% |
| $24,684 – $38,959 | 4% |
| $38,959 – $54,081 | 6% |
| $54,081 – $68,350 | 8% |
| $68,350 – $349,137 | 9.3% |
| $349,137 – $418,961 | 10.3% |
| $418,961 – $698,274 | 11.3% |
| Over $698,274 | 12.3% |
| Over $1,000,000 | +1% (Mental Health) |
Federal Income Tax Brackets 2026 (Single Filer)
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,925 | 10% |
| $11,925 – $48,475 | 12% |
| $48,475 – $103,350 | 22% |
| $103,350 – $197,300 | 24% |
| $197,300 – $250,525 | 32% |
| $250,525 – $626,350 | 35% |
| Over $626,350 | 37% |
Payroll Taxes at a Glance
| Tax | Rate | Wage Base |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security (FICA) | 6.2% | $168,600 |
| Medicare (FICA) | 1.45% | No limit |
| Additional Medicare | 0.9% | Over $200,000 |
| California SDI | 1.1% | No limit (since 2024) |
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your Annual Salary — the total gross compensation before any deductions.
- Select Pay Frequency — how often you receive a paycheck (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
- Choose Filing Status — Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household. This determines your federal and state tax brackets.
- Add Overtime — if applicable, enter the number of overtime hours per period and your overtime hourly rate.
- Enter Pre-Tax Deductions — contributions to a 401(k), HSA, or FSA per pay period. These reduce your taxable income.
- Click Calculate — your estimated net pay, full tax breakdown, and annual totals will appear instantly.
Gross Pay vs. Net Pay
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions — taxes, benefits, or retirement contributions. For salaried employees, it is the agreed annual salary divided by the number of pay periods.
Net pay (take-home pay) is what you actually receive after all required withholdings and voluntary deductions are subtracted. For most California residents, the effective total deduction rate (federal + state + FICA + SDI) ranges from roughly 25–40% of gross pay depending on income level and filing status.
Why Use This Calculator?
- Salary negotiation: Understand your real take-home before accepting a job offer.
- Budget planning: Know exactly how much will hit your bank account each pay period.
- W-4 adjustments: See the impact of changing your withholding allowances or adding extra withholding.
- Raise impact: Calculate how much of a raise you will actually keep after taxes.
- Benefits evaluation: Model how pre-tax 401(k) or HSA contributions affect your net pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your gross pay is determined by your annual salary divided by your pay periods. From that, federal income tax (based on your filing status and W-4), California state income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and California SDI (1.1%) are withheld. Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions reduce your federal and state taxable income before taxes are applied.
California has a progressive tax system ranging from 1% to 12.3%, plus a 1% Mental Health Services Tax on income over $1,000,000. The 2026 brackets for single filers start at 1% on the first $10,412 and reach 12.3% above $698,274.
Yes. Select your pay frequency — Weekly (52 periods), Biweekly (26 periods), Semi-Monthly (24 periods), or Monthly (12 periods) — and the calculator will show your per-period net pay.
Yes. Enter your overtime hours per pay period and hourly overtime rate. California law requires overtime at 1.5× the regular rate after 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, and 2× after 12 hours in a day.
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. You pay 6.2% for Social Security (on wages up to $168,600 in 2024) and 1.45% for Medicare (no wage cap). An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to individuals earning over $200,000.
SDI is a California payroll tax of 1.1% of your gross wages. Since January 1, 2024, there is no annual wage cap — all earnings are subject to SDI. It funds short-term disability and Paid Family Leave benefits.
PFL is funded through California SDI. It provides 60–70% wage replacement for up to 8 weeks when bonding with a new child, caring for a seriously ill family member, or assisting a military family member. It's funded entirely by employee SDI contributions.
Yes. Supplemental wages (bonuses, commissions) can be withheld at a flat federal rate of 22% and a California flat rate of 6.6% (under $1 million). Alternatively, they can be combined with regular wages and withheld using the aggregate method.
Maximize pre-tax contributions to a 401(k), HSA, or FSA, which reduce your federal and state taxable income. Contribute to a traditional IRA. Claim all eligible deductions and credits when filing. If you're self-employed, deduct half of self-employment tax.
As of 2026, nine states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (on wages), South Dakota, Tennessee (on wages), Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. California has among the highest state income tax rates in the US.