California Paycheck Calculator
Estimate California take-home pay fast. Enter salary or hourly details, contributions, frequency, and deductions to instantly view clear results today.
California Income Tax Rate
California uses progressive brackets with a long-standing top marginal rate among the nation’s highest. Payroll begins with gross pay, subtracts pre-tax benefits—traditional 401(k), Section 125 health premiums, HSA/FSA, commuter benefits—then calculates federal withholding, FICA, and California withholding using your DE-4 elections and pay frequency. Supplemental wages (bonuses/commissions) may be withheld using percentage or aggregate methods. Local wage income taxes aren’t imposed on employees, but separate employer city taxes may exist. The table lists the statewide top rate for the last decade. Your effective rate will usually be lower than the top bracket once deductions, credits, and pre-tax benefits reduce taxable income.
| Year | Top Rate |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 13.30% |
| 2017 | 13.30% |
| 2018 | 13.30% |
| 2019 | 13.30% |
| 2020 | 13.30% |
| 2021 | 13.30% |
| 2022 | 13.30% |
| 2023 | 13.30% |
| 2024 | 13.30% |
| 2025 | 13.30% |
California Median Household Income
California’s median household income has trended upward, propelled by technology, healthcare, logistics, entertainment, and professional services. Pandemic shocks briefly disrupted growth, followed by nominal gains as labor markets tightened, particularly in coastal metros and inland corridors. Use the figures below as broad, nominal benchmarks for budgeting and compensation comparisons. For purchasing power, compare “real” (inflation-adjusted) dollars and weigh substantial regional cost differences—housing, transportation, childcare, and insurance vary widely between Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and inland counties. Household size and employer benefits (health coverage, retirement match) meaningfully affect take-home value across California communities.
| Year | Income |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $67,700 |
| 2017 | $70,200 |
| 2018 | $72,900 |
| 2019 | $78,100 |
| 2020 | $80,400 |
| 2021 | $84,300 |
| 2022 | $86,900 |
| 2023 | $89,600 |
| 2024 | $91,800 |
| 2025 | $93,500 (prelim.) |
California Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)
FICA applies uniformly in California. Employees pay 6.2% Social Security on wages up to the annual federal wage base (employers match) and 1.45% Medicare on all wages (also matched). High earners owe an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax above federal thresholds; employers don’t match that surtax. Section 125 health premiums usually reduce both income-tax and FICA wages; traditional 401(k) reduces income-tax wages but not FICA. In California, most employees also see SDI (State Disability Insurance) withholding on pay stubs, which funds Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave—separate from FICA and federal tax.
California Number of Cities with Local Income Taxes
California does not impose employee-paid local wage income taxes. Some cities assess employer payroll or business taxes, but employees’ checks generally include federal, FICA, SDI, and California state income tax only.
| Locality | Employee Resident Rate | Employee Nonresident Rate |
|---|---|---|
| All California cities/towns | None | None |
How Your California Paycheck Works
Each pay period starts with gross wages. Payroll subtracts pre-tax deductions—traditional 401(k), HSA/FSA, Section 125 health premiums, and commuter benefits—to determine taxable wages. Withholding then includes federal income tax (W-4), FICA (Social Security and Medicare), California state income tax (DE-4 elections), and SDI. There are no employee local wage taxes. Post-tax items—Roth 401(k), garnishments, union dues, charitable gifts—come out after taxes and don’t reduce taxable wages. Pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly) changes cash-flow timing but not annual tax. Review stubs after life events or benefit changes to keep withholding aligned and avoid surprises at filing time.
California Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime, Pay Frequency
Overtime: California requires 1.5× after 8 hours in a day or 40 in a week, and
2× after 12 hours in a day; seventh-day rules apply for many non-exempt employees (industry exemptions exist).
Pay frequency: Most non-exempt workers must be paid at least twice monthly on designated days; many employers pay biweekly. State law
also requires timely final pay, itemized wage statements, and meal/rest-period compliance—review employer policy and any agreements for specifics.
FAQs
How do I use the California Paycheck Calculator?
Enter gross pay, pay schedule, DE-4/W-4 details, pre-tax benefits, and post-tax deductions to estimate federal, FICA, SDI, and California withholding.
What is California’s top income tax rate?
The top marginal rate has been 13.30% in recent years; most workers pay a lower effective rate after deductions and credits.
Does any California city tax employee wages?
No. Employees aren’t charged local wage income taxes; some cities levy employer payroll/business taxes separately.
Why is SDI on my California pay stub?
SDI funds Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave and is a state payroll deduction separate from FICA and income tax.
How are bonuses withheld in California?
Employers follow state supplemental withholding tables and federal rules (percentage or aggregate methods) for bonuses and commissions.
Do 401(k) and HSA contributions reduce my taxes?
Yes. They lower income-tax wages and increase take-home; traditional 401(k) doesn’t reduce FICA, while many health premiums do.
What appears on a typical California pay stub?
Federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, California tax, SDI, pre-tax and post-tax deductions, year-to-date totals, and net pay.
How often must I be paid in California?
At least semimonthly for most non-exempt employees; many employers pay biweekly. Paydays must be regular and published.
Are tips taxable in California?
Yes. Reported tips are subject to federal income tax and FICA; California income tax also applies even though employers can’t take tip credits.