California Paycheck Calculator
Work out net pay for a job in California: federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, plus state tax are applied to a $75,000 example that you can edit.
California Wage Taxes at a Glance
California taxes wages on a sliding scale of 10 brackets between 1% and 13.3%. The top rate applies to taxable income above roughly $1,000,000 for a single filer. A single filer deducts about $5,540 before the rates apply.
To change state withholding, submit Form DE 4 to your employer.
California SDI is 1.3% of every dollar of wages with no cap in 2026, and it is paid by the employee. The top state rate is 12.3% plus a 1% surcharge above $1 million.
California Minimum Wage and Take-Home Pay
The wage floor in California is $16.90 per hour, according to the rates the Labor Department listed for July 1, 2026. Working full time at the floor means $676.00 gross each week, about $568.70 net for a single filer without deductions, and $29,572 a year. State income tax and programs take about $852 a year from that pay.
That is $35,152 over a full year, or roughly 60% of what the typical California worker earns ($58,240 median).
Check the California labor department for the latest rate before relying on these numbers; the hourly paycheck calculator lets you try your own wage.
What California Workers Earn and What They Keep
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2025 show a median wage of $58,240 a year in California, 14% above the national median of $50,980. The average (mean) is $80,690, spread over roughly 18,213,700 jobs.
Net pay at four points on the California wage scale (single filer, biweekly, no deductions), after federal tax, FICA, state tax and programs:
| California wage point | Gross a year | Kept a year | Kept per check | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower earners (10th percentile) | $35,950 | $30,171 | $1,160.43 | 16.1% |
| Middle of the pack (median) | $58,240 | $46,675 | $1,795.19 | 19.9% |
| Mean wage | $80,690 | $61,272 | $2,356.61 | 24.1% |
| Upper earners (75th percentile) | $97,880 | $71,543 | $2,751.65 | 26.9% |
These figures cover employees only, not the self-employed, and your job title matters more than any average. Test your real salary in the salary paycheck calculator.
California Pay Schedules
California allows weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly pay depending on the occupation. That is the general rule in the DOL's state payday table. Some industries and job types are treated differently, so ask the California labor department if you are unsure.
Net pay per check at every pay frequency, using a $58,200 salary (the BLS median wage there) for a single filer with no deductions:
| Schedule | Before tax | After tax |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly (52 a year) | $1,119.23 | $897.03 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,238.46 | $1,794.06 |
| Semimonthly (24 a year) | $2,425.00 | $1,943.57 |
| Monthly (12 a year) | $4,850.00 | $3,887.13 |
Compare frequencies in the pay frequency guide, or run your own numbers in the semimonthly and monthly calculators.
Payroll Programs and Local Taxes in California
State Payroll Programs
The calculator also deducts these state programs from employee pay (estimated rates):
- CA SDI: 1.3% of wages, no wage cap.
Local Taxes
California has no city wage taxes, though San Francisco has an employer-side payroll expense tax.
Pre-Tax Deductions
In California, contributions to a traditional 401(k), an HSA or health premiums typically reduce state taxable wages as well. More in paycheck deductions.
California Tax Rates on Wages
Estimated California income tax brackets for a single filer, applied after the state deduction of $5,540:
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $11,079 | 1% |
| $11,079 to $26,264 | 2% |
| $26,264 to $41,452 | 4% |
| $41,452 to $57,542 | 6% |
| $57,542 to $72,724 | 8% |
| $72,724 to $371,479 | 9.3% |
| $371,479 to $445,771 | 10.3% |
| $445,771 to $742,953 | 11.3% |
| $742,953 to $1,000,000 | 12.3% |
| $1,000,000 and up | 13.3% |
What California Salaries Keep
On $75,000, single with no deductions, California ranks 45 of 51 for what you keep: about $57,830 a year, $1,051 below the median state at $58,880.
| Salary | Net per check (biweekly) | Net per year | Total tax rate | State tax + programs / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $987.29 | $25,670 | 14.4% | $615 |
| $45,000 | $1,421.66 | $36,963 | 17.9% | $1,374 |
| $60,000 | $1,844.63 | $47,961 | 20.1% | $2,429 |
| $75,000 | $2,224.22 | $57,830 | 22.9% | $3,763 |
| $100,000 | $2,800.37 | $72,810 | 27.2% | $6,370 |
| $150,000 | $3,927.71 | $102,121 | 31.9% | $11,670 |
California Against Its Neighbours
$75,000 salary, single filer, no deductions, in California and its neighbours:
| Location | Kept per year | State tax and programs | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| California (this page) | $57,830 | $3,763 | +$0 |
| Oregon | $55,260 | $6,333 | -$2,570 |
| Nevada | $61,592 | $0 | +$3,763 |
| Arizona | $60,120 | $1,472 | +$2,290 |
Differences are measured against California. Border commuters should note that the work state normally taxes wages and the home state may offer a credit.
Practical Tips for California Workers
- Pre-tax contributions save California tax at up to 13.3%, plus federal tax, where the deduction is allowed.
- Expect CA SDI on every check; it is not something a W-4 change removes.
- Payroll uses Form DE 4 for state withholding, so update it when your situation changes.
- Local taxes can apply on top: California has no city wage taxes, though San Francisco has an employer-side payroll expense tax.
- For the federal rules, read paycheck deductions and 401(k) deductions.
Nearby State Calculators
Questions About Pay in California
Does California have a state income tax?
California taxes wages on a sliding scale, from 1% up to 13.3%.
What does $60,000 a year take home in California?
A single filer with no deductions takes home about $1,844.63 per biweekly paycheck, roughly $47,961 a year, after federal, FICA and California taxes.
What must California employers pay per hour at minimum?
As of July 1, 2026, California sets the floor at $16.90 an hour (US Department of Labor). At 40 hours a week that is about $568.70 take-home per week for a single filer.
What is the average salary in California?
Median pay is $58,240 and the mean is $80,690 across all occupations in California (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A single filer at the median keeps about $46,675 a year.
Does California require a certain payday frequency?
California allows weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly pay depending on the occupation. Special rules apply to some jobs, so check with the state labor department.
Is there a local wage tax in California?
California has no city wage taxes, though San Francisco has an employer-side payroll expense tax. Use the local income tax field in the calculator to include one.
Which withholding form does California use?
California uses Form DE 4 for state withholding elections. Federal withholding is set on Form W-4.
What if I work in California but live across the state line?
The state where the work is done normally taxes the wages, while the state you live in may offer a credit. If you live in Oregon and work in California, or the other way round, read both states' rules and ask payroll about reciprocity.
How does California rank for take-home pay?
On a $75,000 salary for a single filer, California ranks 45 of 51 (states and DC), with about $57,830 a year in take-home pay.
How these numbers are figured: 2026 IRS withholding rules (Publication 15-T) and state figures last verified September 2026. Results are estimates. Read the full methodology and sources.