California Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your California take-home pay in seconds. This free California paycheck calculator breaks down federal income tax, FICA, California state income tax and SDI from your gross salary, with a full per-paycheck breakdown for 2026.
Calculate your California take-home pay
How your California paycheck is calculated
Your paycheck is your gross pay minus federal income tax and FICA. For 2026, this calculator applies the seven federal brackets (10% to 37%) to your taxable income — your gross pay minus any pre-tax deductions and the $16,100 single standard deduction. FICA adds Social Security at 6.2% (on wages up to the $184,500 cap) and Medicare at 1.45% on all wages, with an extra 0.9% above $200,000.
California adds a progressive state income tax (1% to 13.3%) on income above the $5,540 single standard deduction, plus State Disability Insurance (SDI) at 1.3% of all wages with no cap. So this California paycheck calculator subtracts federal tax, FICA, California income tax and SDI to estimate your net pay. Use it as a take home salary calculator california workers can trust, or a quick paycheck tax calculator california residents reach for at tax time.
California take-home pay by salary (2026)
The table shows estimated annual and biweekly take-home pay for a single filer, the way a california salary calculator would for common income levels. Use it to calculate paycheck california figures before you negotiate a salary.
| Annual gross | Annual take-home | Per biweekly paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,058 | $1,271 |
| $60,000 | $47,808 | $1,839 |
| $80,000 | $60,707 | $2,335 |
| $100,000 | $72,657 | $2,794 |
How to use this calculator
- Enter your gross salary. Type your annual gross income. To use this as an hourly paycheck calculator for california, multiply your hourly rate by hours worked per year first.
- Choose how often you are paid. Enter your pay periods per year — 52 for weekly, 26 for biweekly, 24 for semi-monthly, or 12 for monthly.
- Add any pre-tax deductions. Include annual 401(k) or pre-tax health contributions so the calculator lowers both your federal and California taxable income.
- Calculate your take-home pay. Press Calculate to see your net pay per paycheck, plus a breakdown of federal tax, FICA, California income tax and SDI.
Frequently asked questions
Is this California paycheck calculator free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser.
Why is California take-home pay lower than in no-tax states?
California has a progressive income tax from 1% up to 13.3%, plus 1.3% SDI on all wages, so more is withheld than in states like Texas or Florida that have no income tax.
What is CA SDI and is it included?
State Disability Insurance is a mandatory California payroll deduction, 1.3% of all wages with no cap in 2026. Yes, this calculator includes it in your withholdings.
How accurate is this California salary calculator?
It uses 2026 federal and California brackets, the $16,100 federal and $5,540 California single standard deductions, FICA and 1.3% SDI, assuming single filing. Treat results as an estimate.
What is the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross pay is your salary before deductions. Net, or take-home, pay is what remains after federal tax, FICA, California income tax and SDI are withheld.