California Paycheck Calculator 2026
Enter your pay and your DE 4 details to see what lands in your bank account. California withholds income tax at rates from 1.1% to 14.63%, plus 1.3% for State Disability Insurance - we show every step.
How much does California take out for taxes? On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks (single, standard W-4), California takes $99.42 of each $2,307.69 paycheck - 4.3% of pay, including CA SDI (disability and paid family leave). With federal income tax ($193.08) and Social Security and Medicare ($176.54), $469.04 comes out in all - 20.3% - and you keep $1,838.65.
= $919.33 a week · $3,983.76 a month · $47,805.08 a year
Gross pay$2,307.69$60,000.00
Your pay before anything is taken out: yearly pay divided by the 26 paychecks in a year (hourly pay is a week's pay × 52, spread the same way).
Federal income tax · withheld−$193.08−$5,020.00
Worked out from your pay and your Form W-4 with the IRS percentage method (Worksheet 1A): yearly pay, minus the allowance for your filing status, into the 2026 annual table, minus W-4 credits, divided by paychecks. Each line, for this paycheck:
| Pay subject to income tax, for the year · $2,307.69 × 26 paychecks | $60,000.00 |
| Minus the IRS withholding allowance · Pub 15-T Worksheet 1A, line 1g | −$8,600.00 |
| Adjusted yearly wage | $51,400.00 |
| Tax from the IRS yearly table · standard table | $5,020.00 |
| Federal income tax per paycheck · divided by 26 | $193.08 |
IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A - the percentage method payroll software uses for a Form W-4 from 2020 or later. Your employer's figure can differ by a few cents because of rounding.
Adjusted yearly wage: $51,400.00, so this row applies:
| Over | Not over | Base tax | + rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | $7,500 | $0.00 | 0% |
| $7,500 | $19,900 | $0.00 | 10% |
| $19,900 | $57,900 | $1,240.00 | 12% Your row |
| $57,900 | $113,200 | $5,800.00 | 22% |
| $113,200 | $209,275 | $17,966.00 | 24% |
| $209,275 | $263,725 | $41,024.00 | 32% |
| $263,725 | $648,100 | $58,448.00 | 35% |
| $648,100 | - | $192,979.25 | 37% |
$1,240.00 + 12% × ($51,400.00 − $19,900.00) = $5,020.00
Source: IRS Publication 15-T (2026) · checked Sep 21, 2026
Social Security (6.2%)−$143.08−$3,720.00
6.2% of your pay (after pre-tax benefits, not after 401(k)) up to $184,500 of pay in 2026. Once your pay for the year passes that, it stops until January. Stubs often call it OASDI or FICA.
Source: Social Security Administration - 2026 wage base · checked Sep 21, 2026
Medicare (1.45%)−$33.46−$870.00
1.45% of all your pay, with no yearly limit, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare on pay above $200,000 in the year.
Source: IRS Publication 15 (2026) · checked Sep 21, 2026
California income tax · withheld−$69.42−$1,804.92
1.1% to 14.63% withholding rates. Worked out with California's official 2026 withholding tables, step by step:
| Pay subject to California tax this paycheck · after pre-tax 401(k) and health benefits | $2,307.69 |
| Minus California standard deduction · single or married with two or more incomes, EDD Table 3 | −$219.00 |
| California taxable income | $2,088.69 |
| Tax from the EDD rate table · $43.24 + 6.6% of the amount over $1,594 | $75.89 |
| Minus allowance credit · 1 regular allowance, EDD Table 4 | −$6.47 |
| California income tax this paycheck · EDD Method B | $69.42 |
California taxable income: $2,088.69, so this row applies:
| Over | Not over | Base tax | + rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | $426 | $0.00 | 1.1% |
| $426 | $1,010 | $4.69 | 2.2% |
| $1,010 | $1,594 | $17.54 | 4.4% |
| $1,594 | $2,214 | $43.24 | 6.6% Your row |
| $2,214 | $2,798 | $84.16 | 8.8% |
| $2,798 | $14,288 | $135.55 | 10.23% |
| $14,288 | $17,146 | $1,310.98 | 11.33% |
| … 3 more rows | |||
$43.24 + 6.6% × ($2,088.69 − $1,594.00) = $75.89
Source: California EDD - 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B – Exact Calculation Method · checked Oct 16, 2026
CA SDI (disability and paid family leave) · 1.3%, no wage limit−$30.00−$780.00
CA SDI (disability and paid family leave): an employee-paid California payroll program, taken as a share of your pay (1.3%, no wage limit).
Source: California EDD - 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B – Exact Calculation Method · checked Oct 16, 2026
Built by Ashish Hirpara · figures from IRS and state publications · sources · corrections
What comes out of a California paycheck
- Federal income tax withholding - worked out from your pay and your Form W-4, using the IRS tables for 2026.
- Social Security - 6.2% of your pay, up to $184,500 of pay in 2026. Above that, it stops for the rest of the year.
- Medicare - 1.45% of all your pay, plus 0.9% on pay above $200,000 in the year.
California takes two things out of your paycheck: state income tax and State Disability Insurance (SDI).
Income tax. Employers work it out with the Employment Development Department's (EDD) "Method B" tables for your pay period and DE 4 filing status. Shown here as yearly amounts:
- If your pay is at or below the low-income exemption - $18,896 a year if you're single, or $37,791 for head of household or married with two or more allowances - nothing is withheld.
- Each DE 4 allowance for estimated deductions takes $1,000 a year off your pay.
- The standard deduction comes off next: $5,706 (single, or married with 0 or 1 allowance) or $11,412 (head of household, or married with 2 or more).
- The rest is taxed with a rate table that climbs from 1.1% to 14.63%.
- Each regular DE 4 allowance then lowers the tax by $168.30 a year.
Your employer uses the per-paycheck version of each table, so the "California income tax" line above shows the exact numbers for your pay period.
SDI is 1.3% of your wages ($13 per $1,000) and pays for both disability and paid family leave benefits. Since January 1, 2024 there is no yearly wage limit, so it applies to every dollar you earn. A traditional 401(k) lowers your California income tax but not your SDI; pre-tax health insurance through a section 125 plan generally lowers both.
What's different about California
Your DE 4 is separate from your W-4
California has its own form, the DE 4, with three filing statuses: single or married with two or more incomes, married with one income, and head of household. You claim regular allowances (for yourself, a spouse and dependents) and, if you itemize, extra allowances for estimated deductions. If you never gave your employer a DE 4, it must withhold as if you're single with zero allowances. By default we match your DE 4 status to your federal W-4 and use one regular allowance.
Two-income couples
The "married" tables assume one income in the household. The EDD's own schedules note that couples who both work may be underwithheld on those tables, and suggest the single status or an extra flat amount instead.
Health savings accounts are taxed
California taxes contributions to a health savings account (HSA), even through a section 125 plan. If part of your pre-tax benefits above is an HSA, your real California withholding will be a little higher than shown here.
Daily overtime
Overtime in California is counted by the day as well as the week: time-and-a-half after 8 hours in a workday or 40 hours in a workweek, and double time after 12 hours in a workday.
Paydays and your last paycheck
With some exceptions, wages must be paid at least twice a month on regular paydays set in advance. Wages earned from the 1st to the 15th are due by the 26th, and wages from the 16th to month-end by the 10th of the next month; weekly and every-two-weeks pay is due within 7 calendar days after the pay period ends. If you're fired, your final pay - including unused vacation - is due right away. If you quit with at least 72 hours' notice, it's due on your last day; without notice, within 72 hours. If an employer willfully pays late, it can owe a waiting time penalty of a day's wages for each day late, up to 30 days. Unpaid wages can be claimed with the Labor Commissioner's Office.
California salary after tax
Each answer is worked out by the same calculator as above, for a single filer paid every two weeks with a standard W-4 and no 401(k) or benefits. Jump to: $35,000 · $45,000 · $55,000 · $60,000 · $65,000 · $75,000 · $80,000 · $90,000 · $100,000 · $120,000 · $150,000
How much is $35,000 a year after tax in California?
About $29,426 a year - $1,131.76 every two weeks, or about $2,452 a month. That's after $2,020 of federal income tax, $2,678 of Social Security and Medicare and $877 in California taxes; you keep 84%. Try $35,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $45,000 a year after tax in California?
About $36,891 a year - $1,418.86 every two weeks, or about $3,074 a month. That's after $3,220 of federal income tax, $3,443 of Social Security and Medicare and $1,447 in California taxes; you keep 82%. Try $45,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $55,000 a year after tax in California?
About $44,183 a year - $1,699.33 every two weeks, or about $3,682 a month. That's after $4,420 of federal income tax, $4,208 of Social Security and Medicare and $2,190 in California taxes; you keep 80%. Try $55,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $60,000 a year after tax in California?
About $47,805 a year - $1,838.65 every two weeks, or about $3,984 a month. That's after $5,020 of federal income tax, $4,590 of Social Security and Medicare and $2,585 in California taxes; you keep 80%. Try $60,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $65,000 a year after tax in California?
About $51,389 a year - $1,976.51 every two weeks, or about $4,282 a month. That's after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare and $3,018 in California taxes; you keep 79%. Try $65,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $75,000 a year after tax in California?
About $57,564 a year - $2,214.01 every two weeks, or about $4,797 a month. That's after $7,670 of federal income tax, $5,738 of Social Security and Medicare and $4,028 in California taxes; you keep 77%. Try $75,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $80,000 a year after tax in California?
About $60,555 a year - $2,329.01 every two weeks, or about $5,046 a month. That's after $8,770 of federal income tax, $6,120 of Social Security and Medicare and $4,555 in California taxes; you keep 76%. Try $80,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $90,000 a year after tax in California?
About $66,436 a year - $2,555.25 every two weeks, or about $5,536 a month. That's after $10,970 of federal income tax, $6,885 of Social Security and Medicare and $5,709 in California taxes; you keep 74%. Try $90,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $100,000 a year after tax in California?
About $72,319 a year - $2,781.48 every two weeks, or about $6,027 a month. That's after $13,170 of federal income tax, $7,650 of Social Security and Medicare and $6,861 in California taxes; you keep 72%. Try $100,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $120,000 a year after tax in California?
About $84,083 a year - $3,233.95 every two weeks, or about $7,007 a month. That's after $17,570 of federal income tax, $9,180 of Social Security and Medicare and $9,167 in California taxes; you keep 70%. Try $120,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
How much is $150,000 a year after tax in California?
About $101,165 a year - $3,890.95 every two weeks, or about $8,430 a month. That's after $24,734 of federal income tax, $11,475 of Social Security and Medicare and $12,626 in California taxes; you keep 67%. Try $150,000 with your own W-4 and deductions.
California vs neighboring states
Take-home pay on a $60,000 salary, single filer paid every two weeks with a standard W-4. "State taxes" counts state and local income tax withheld (with each calculator's default choices) plus any employee-paid state payroll premium; federal tax, Social Security and Medicare are the same everywhere.
| State | State taxes | Take-home | vs here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $0 | $50,390 | +$2,585 |
| Arizona | $1,200 | $49,190 | +$1,385 |
| California | $2,585 | $47,805 | - |
| Oregon | $4,398 | $45,992 | −$1,813 |
Local income taxes (city, county or school district) aren't included for Oregon - enter your rate on the state's calculator.
Where you live and where you work can both matter when the two states differ - check each state's page.
Moving? California vs Texas taxes · Arizona vs California taxes · California vs Nevada taxes · California vs Washington taxes · California vs New York taxes · California vs Florida taxes · California vs Oregon taxes · California vs Virginia taxes · California vs Colorado taxes · California vs Illinois taxes · Salary needed to move
What changed for 2026
California's 2026 withholding tables, SDI rate and minimum wage are below.
- New federal withholding tables. The IRS updated Publication 15-T for 2026, including changes from the 2025 tax law. The standard deduction is $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, and $24,150 head of household.
- Social Security wage base: $184,500 (up from $176,100). If you earn more, Social Security stops later in the year.
- Tips and overtime deductions for 2025–2028 - see below.
- SDI: 1.3% of all wages, with no wage limit.
- Minimum wage: $16.90 from January 1, 2026 (up from $16.50 in 2025).
- Withholding: the 2026 EDD tables use a yearly standard deduction of $5,706 or $11,412 and a credit of $168.30 per regular allowance.
Why your paycheck might differ from this
- Your W-4. Credits for children (Step 3), a checked Step 2 box, or extra withholding (Step 4c) change the federal amount a lot. Open "Tips, 401(k), health insurance and W-4 details" above to enter them.
- Benefits taken before tax. Health insurance through work usually lowers income tax and Social Security and Medicare. A traditional 401(k) lowers income tax only.
- Rounding. Payroll software may round each step, so a few cents of difference is normal.
Tips and overtime in 2026
New federal deductions apply for 2025 through 2028: up to $25,000 for qualified tips, and up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) for the extra "half" of time-and-a-half overtime. Both phase out above $150,000 of income ($300,000 joint).
These are deductions on your tax return. Your employer still takes Social Security and Medicare out of tips and overtime, and still withholds income tax unless you tell it otherwise. If you expect to claim them, you can put the expected amount in Step 4(b) of your W-4 (and in the Step 4(b) box above) so less income tax is withheld during the year.
More for California
Paycheck calculator · Hourly · Salary · Bonus tax · Rent you can afford · Employer payroll taxes · DE 4 allowances guide · CA SDI explained · Daily overtime rules
Other tools: What changed for 2026 · Hourly to salary · Salary to hourly · Overtime · Raise · Net to gross · Compare two states · All state tax rates · How California ranks on $75,000 · Pay stub checker · W-4 guide
Other states: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming
Sources
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods - Worksheet 1A and the annual percentage-method tables
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), Employer's Tax Guide - Social Security and Medicare rates
- Social Security Administration - 2026 wage base of $184,500
- IRS - tips and overtime deductions
- California EDD - 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B – Exact Calculation Method - Tables 1–28; worked examples A–F
- California EDD - Contribution rates and benefit amounts - 2026: SDI 1.3%, no taxable wage ceiling (SB 951), maximum weekly benefit $1,765 (checked Sep 27, 2026)
- California EDD - Disability Insurance benefits - 70–90% of wages from 5–18 months before the claim; $50 to $1,765 a week for up to 52 weeks (checked Sep 27, 2026)
- California EDD - Paid Family Leave - up to 8 weeks in a 12-month period to bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill family member or support a military deployment; $50–$1,765 a week (checked Sep 27, 2026)
- California EDD - Contribution rates, withholding schedules, and meals and lodging values - no DE 4 → single, zero allowances
- California EDD - Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate (DE 4, Rev. 56 (1-26)) - Worksheet A: yourself, spouse (if not claimed by your spouse), blindness for each, dependents → line 1a; Worksheet B: one allowance per $1,000 or fraction of deductions over $5,706 / $11,412 → line 1b; claim all allowances with the highest-paying job; no DE 4 → single, zero allowances (checked Sep 27, 2026); filing statuses; line 1a regular and 1b estimated-deduction allowances
- California EDD - Tax-rated employers - SDI withholding rate for 2026 is 1.3%; all wages subject since January 1, 2024
- California EDD - California Employer's Guide 2026 (DE 44) - SDI rate covers disability and paid family leave; no SDI taxable wage limit; p. 18 (Rev. 52, 4-26): supplemental wages paid with regular wages must be combined; paid separately, either the combined (aggregate) method or a flat 10.23% on bonuses and stock options, 6.6% on other types, with no allowances
- California EDD - Types of Payments (DE 231TP) - 401(k) deferrals: SDI yes, PIT no; section 125 benefits generally not subject; HSA contributions subject to PIT withholding
- California Labor Commissioner - Minimum wage FAQ - $16.90 from January 1, 2026; tips can't be credited toward the minimum wage
- California Labor Commissioner - Overtime FAQ - 1.5× over 8 hours a day and 40 a week; 2× over 12 hours a day
- California Labor Commissioner - Paydays, pay periods, and final wages - at least twice a month; final pay immediately if fired, within 72 hours if you quit without notice
- California Labor Commissioner - Waiting time penalty - daily wage for each day late, up to 30 days
- California Labor Commissioner - How to file a wage claim
Questions
How much does California take out for taxes?
On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks (single, standard W-4), California takes $99.42 of each $2,307.69 paycheck - 4.3% of pay, including CA SDI (disability and paid family leave). With federal income tax ($193.08) and Social Security and Medicare ($176.54), $469.04 comes out in all - 20.3% - and you keep $1,838.65.
What is SDI on my California pay stub?
State Disability Insurance. In 2026 it's 1.3% of your wages, with no yearly limit, and it funds both disability and paid family leave benefits.
How much is taken out of a $1,000 paycheck in California?
For a single filer paid every two weeks with nothing else on the W-4, a $1,000 paycheck has about $38.08 of federal income tax, $62.00 of Social Security and $14.50 of Medicare taken out, $6.03 of California income tax, leaving $866.39. Enter your own details in the calculator for your exact figure.
What happens if I didn't fill out a DE 4?
Your employer must withhold California tax as if you're single with zero allowances, even if your federal W-4 says something else.
Why is no California tax taken from my small paycheck?
If your pay for the period is at or below the EDD's low-income exemption ($18,896 a year for single filers, spread over your paychecks), nothing is withheld.
What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
$16.90 an hour statewide from January 1, 2026, with no tip credit. Some cities, counties and industries are higher.
When do I get my last paycheck in California?
Right away if you're fired. If you quit, on your last day when you gave at least 72 hours' notice, or within 72 hours if you didn't.