California Hourly Paycheck Calculator

California Payroll Taxes

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

• Employee (federal): Federal income tax (W-4), Social Security, Medicare, and Additional Medicare tax for high earners.
• Employee (state): California state income tax withholding (DE 4 elections), SDI (disability and paid family leave).
• Local (employee): None for wages in California.
• Employer: California SUTA, FUTA, workers’ compensation, and applicable state programs.
• Pretax deductions: Reduce federal and state taxable wages and, when eligible, FICA-taxable wages.

How Your California Paycheck Works

Your net pay equals gross wages (regular, overtime, double time, tips, differentials, bonuses) minus pretax deductions; then minus FICA, federal income tax, California state withholding, and SDI. With no municipal wage tax, city or county withholding lines do not appear. The calculator provides a line-by-line breakdown of hours, rates, taxable wages, withholdings, deductions, and final take-home pay.

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

California Unemployment Insurance Tax Rates — 10-Year Data

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 do not confer exemption. Confirm industry-specific rules and local wage ordinances.

Median Household Income in California — 10-Year Trend

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

California Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

FICA applies in California. Employees pay Social Security and Medicare; employers match both. Additional Medicare tax applies to employee wages above the federal threshold; employers do not match this tax. Eligible pretax benefits (Section 125 health premiums, 401(k)/403(b)/457(b), HSA, FSA, commuter) can reduce FICA-taxable wages according to plan rules.

California Local Income Taxes

Overview: 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). Employers may have separate city business taxes. Verify local rules for multistate workers before payroll processing.

Illustrative California Local Wage/Income Tax Table

California Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime & Pay Frequency

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

Additional California Payroll Forms

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

FAQs: 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 withholding to provide a clear line-by-line net pay estimate.

Does California withhold local city taxes?

No. California does not levy employee city or county income taxes. Your paycheck includes federal taxes, FICA, California state withholding, SDI, and elected deductions.

Which form controls California state withholding?

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

How do I enter overtime and double time correctly?

Input daily and weekly overtime separately. California’s daily overtime and double-time rules require entering hours in each bucket for accurate calculation of regular rates and withholding.

Why did my California paycheck change?

Common reasons: variable hours, daily OT/DT, tips, bonuses, updated W-4/DE 4, benefit changes, or SDI rate/base adjustments. Compare current vs. prior pay stubs for differences.

Can pretax benefits increase take-home pay?

Yes. Pretax deductions—401(k)/403(b)/457(b), HSA, FSA, commuter, and certain insurance—reduce taxable wages and may lower federal and state income tax, and when eligible, FICA. Some benefits do not reduce SDI.

How are tips handled?

Reported tips are subject to federal income tax, FICA, and California state income tax. Include all tips to ensure correct withholding and compliance with tip-credit rules.

How do multiple jobs affect withholding?

Follow IRS multiple-job guidance and align DE 4 elections. Model each job separately to prevent under-withholding when combined wages increase your tax bracket.

What is SDI?

SDI (State Disability Insurance) funds disability and paid family leave benefits. It is an employee payroll tax with no employer match, capped at an annual wage base.

What is Additional Medicare tax?

Once wages exceed the federal threshold, Additional Medicare tax is withheld from employees only. Employers do not match this tax; it is added alongside regular Medicare on pay stubs.

Are bonuses and commissions taxed differently?

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

Can the calculator project annual take-home?

Yes. Multiply typical weekly hours by 52, add expected OT/DT/tips/bonuses, and apply pay frequency and deductions for an estimated annual net total.

Popular Google queries

“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 affect net?” “How to model a bonus?”

Reddit discussions

“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?”

Quora questions

“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?”