California Hourly Paycheck Calculator

California payroll taxes

Typical California paychecks include federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax, and State Disability Insurance (SDI) withholding. California cities generally do not levy employee local income taxes (some have employer business taxes that don’t come out of employee wages). Employers fund California unemployment insurance (SUTA), federal FUTA, workers’ compensation, and required state programs. Pretax benefits—401(k)/403(b)/457(b), HSA, FSA, commuter, and certain insurance premiums—can reduce taxable wages when plan-eligible.

• Employee (federal): Income tax (W-4 based), Social Security, Medicare, Additional Medicare for high earners.
• Employee (state): California income tax (DE 4 elections), SDI (covers PFL/DI).
• Local (employee): None on wages in California.
• Employer: CA SUTA; FUTA; workers’ comp; other employer-side costs as applicable.
• Pretax deductions: May lower federal/state taxable wages and, when eligible, FICA.

How Your California Paycheck Works

Your net pay equals gross hourly wages (regular, overtime, double time, tips, differentials, bonuses) minus pretax deductions; then minus FICA, federal income tax, California state withholding, and SDI. Because there is no municipal wage tax on employees, there’s no city/county withholding line. The calculator itemizes hours, rates, taxable wages, withholdings, deductions, and your final take-home.

• Inputs: Hourly rate, hours, daily overtime/double time, tips, pay frequency, filing status, dependents/credits, deductions.
• Outputs: Line-by-line FICA, federal, CA state, SDI, deductions, and estimated net pay.
• Supplemental wages: Compare flat vs. aggregate federal methods for bonuses/commissions.

California Income unemployment tax rate I Need 10 Years Data In Table

Replace placeholders with official California EDD figures (taxable wage base, experience-rated range, and new-employer rate) before publishing.

California salary threshold

California uses state and federal criteria for white-collar exemptions. Exempt status requires passing the duties tests and meeting the applicable salary-basis threshold (often tied to a multiple of the state minimum wage for full-time work). Job titles alone don’t confer exemption. Confirm industry-specific rules and local wage ordinances.

Median Household Income: California — 10 Years

Insert the latest U.S. Census/ACS one-year (or five-year) estimates before publishing.

California Federal Insurance Contributions Act(Fica)

FICA is federal and applies in California: employees pay Social Security and Medicare; employers match both. Above a federal threshold, Additional Medicare tax is withheld from employees (no employer match). Eligible pretax benefits (e.g., Section 125 health premiums) can reduce FICA-taxable wages depending on plan rules.

Number of cities that have local income taxes

50-word description: Some U.S. cities levy wage or income taxes. California does not require employee local wage taxes (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego do not withhold a city income tax from employees). Employers may owe separate city business taxes. Always verify multistate workers’ local rules before payroll.

Illustrative California local wage/income tax table (verify current rules before use)

California Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime, Pay Frequency

• Daily overtime: 1.5× after 8 hours/day; double time: after 12 hours/day and over 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day (industry/exemptions vary).
• Weekly overtime: 1.5× after 40 hours/week (FLSA baseline; CA rules can be more protective).
• Pay frequency: Regular, predictable schedule with detailed wage statements (hours, rates, deductions, sick time, etc.).

Additional California forms

• IRS Form W-4 (federal withholding elections).
• California DE 4 (Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate) for state withholding elections.
• Form I-9 employment eligibility verification; CA new-hire reporting.
• Direct deposit authorization; benefits enrollment (401(k), HSA, FSA, insurance).
• Employer EDD unemployment registration; required state/local workplace notices.

FAQs about the California Hourly Paycheck Calculator

How do I use the California Hourly Paycheck Calculator?

Enter hourly rate, hours, daily overtime/double time, tips, pay frequency, filing status, dependents/credits, and pretax/post-tax deductions. The calculator applies FICA, federal, California state, and SDI to show a clear line-by-line estimate of take-home pay.

Does California withhold any local city taxes from paychecks?

No. California does not levy employee city or county wage taxes. Your check reflects federal taxes, FICA, CA state withholding, SDI, and your elected deductions.

Which form controls my California state withholding?

Use California DE 4 along with your IRS W-4. Update after life changes (marriage, dependents, multiple jobs) and mirror settings in the calculator for accuracy.

How do I enter overtime and double time correctly?

Input daily and weekly overtime separately. California uses daily overtime and double time rules—enter hours in each bucket so the calculator computes the correct regular rate and withholdings.

Why did my California paycheck change this period?

Common reasons: different hours, daily OT/DT, tips, bonuses (supplemental withholding), updated W-4/DE 4, benefit changes, or SDI rate/base changes. Compare hours, rates, deductions, and withholdings across pay stubs.

Can pretax benefits increase my take-home?

Yes. Eligible pretax deductions—401(k)/403(b)/457(b), HSA, FSA, commuter, and certain insurance—reduce taxable wages and may lower income tax and, when eligible, FICA. Some pretax items don’t reduce SDI.

How are tips handled in California paycheck calculations?

Reported tips are taxable for federal income tax, FICA, and CA state income tax. Include all tips to ensure proper withholding and compliance with any tip-credit/service-charge rules.

How do multiple jobs affect my withholding in California?

Use the IRS multiple-jobs guidance on your W-4 and align your DE 4. Model each job to avoid under-withholding when combined wages push you into higher brackets.

What is SDI and why is it on my pay stub?

SDI (State Disability Insurance) funds disability and paid family leave benefits. It’s an employee payroll tax withheld up to an annual wage base; employers do not match SDI.

What is Additional Medicare tax and when does it apply?

After you exceed the federal threshold, employers must withhold Additional Medicare on the excess. There is no employer match; it appears alongside regular Medicare on your stub.

Are bonuses and commissions taxed differently?

They’re supplemental wages. Employers may use a flat federal supplemental rate or aggregate with regular wages; California state withholding and SDI also apply. Enter amounts separately to compare methods.

Can the calculator project annual take-home from my hourly rate?

Yes. Multiply typical weekly hours by 52, add expected OT/DT/tips/bonuses, then run the estimate with your frequency, deductions, and credits to see an approximate annual net total.

What do people ask on Google about the California Hourly Paycheck Calculator?

“Why is SDI deducted?” “How to enter daily overtime and double time?” “What DE 4 settings should I choose?” “How do 401(k)/HSA/FSA change net?” “How to model a bonus?”

What do Reddit users commonly discuss about California paycheck estimates?

“My CA take-home seems low—am I double-counting SDI?” “Overtime vs. second job—what nets more?” “Best pretax mix to raise net?” “Flat supplemental vs. aggregate for bonuses?” “Semimonthly vs. biweekly differences?”

What do people ask on Quora regarding California hourly pay calculators?

“How to estimate take-home before accepting a job in Los Angeles or San Jose?” “Gross vs. taxable vs. net pay?” “How do W-4 and DE 4 interact?” “How do tips and commissions affect CA taxes and SDI?”