California Paycheck Calculator

Calculate your take-home pay per paycheck for salary and hourly jobs after federal & California taxes

Updated for 2024 tax year on Jul 06, 2024

What was updated? Fixed calculation error with federal and state payroll taxes

Calculation not correct? Request new features?

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How to calculate your California paycheck

Overview of California

As the most populous US state, California has a population of over 39 million (2019). It is an economic powerhouse, more significant than all but eight countries. The state is known for plenty of American icons.

Brief summary:

  • the income tax rate ranges from 1% to 13.3%
  • no local income tax
  • subject to State Disability Insurance (SDI)
  • has standard deductions
California United States

Understanding your California paycheck

Living and working in the Golden State has its perks, but understanding how your California paycheck works can be a bit perplexing. Let’s dive into the various aspects, including income taxes, deductions, etc.

Your California paycheck begins with your gross income, which is subject to federal income taxes and FICA taxes. The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes you a combined rate of 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare. Your employer will match this amount.

If you’re making over $200,000, you will be subject to an additional 0.9% Medicare tax. This is known as the Additional Medicare Tax, and it applies only to employees, not employers.

Your federal tax withholding is determined by the information provided on your Form W-4. This form allows you to specify your filing status, number of dependents, and any additional amounts you’d like withheld. Your pay frequency will also impact the taxes withheld from each paycheck.

Your marital status influences your tax withholding rates. Consider regular retirement fund contributions, as it reduces your taxable income and tax liability.

California has a progressive state income tax system, with rate varies depending on income. In addition, employees contribute to the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program, a form of payroll tax. It covers short-term disability and paid family leave benefits.

California offers a standard deduction for taxpayers, which reduces your taxable income. The amount of the standard deduction depends on your filing status. Instead of personal exemptions, California provides tax credits based on the number of dependents you claim, further reducing your tax liability.

Finally, your California paycheck may include post-tax deductions, such as wage garnishments, charitable donations, or after-tax retirement contributions. These deductions are taken from your net pay after taxes have been withheld.

Calculate your California paycheck

Calculating your California state income tax is similar to the steps we listed on our main paycheck calculator page:

  1. Determine your gross income
    • Annual salary
      Annual salary = Gross income
    • Hourly wage
      Hourly wage × Hours worked per day × Days worked per week × Weeks worked per year = Your weekly paycheck
  2. Work out your total federal income tax
    1. Gross income adjusted
      Gross income − Pre-tax deductions = Gross income adjusted
    2. Federal taxable income
      Gross income adjusted − Federal standard/itemized deductions = Federal taxable income
    3. Federal income tax liability
      Federal taxable income × Federal income tax rate = Federal income tax liability
    4. Federal payroll tax liability
      Gross income × Federal payroll tax rate = Federal payroll tax liability
  3. Calculate your total California state income tax
    1. California state taxable income
      Gross income adjusted − California state standard/itemized deductions = California state taxable income
    2. California state income tax liability
      California state taxable income × California state income tax rate = California state income tax liability
    3. California state payroll tax liability
      Gross income × California state payroll tax rate = California state payroll tax liability
  4. Figure out your net pay
    You need to account for any other deductions such as health insurance, 401(k) contribution, as well as additional withholdings.
    Gross income − (Total income tax liability + Total payroll tax liability + Total pre-tax deductions + Total post-tax deductions + Total withholdings) = Your net pay
  5. Divide your net pay by your pay frequency
    • Daily
      Your net pay / Days worked per week / Weeks worked per year = Your daily paycheck
    • Weekly
      Your net pay / 52 = Your weekly paycheck
    • Bi-weekly
      Your net pay / 26 = Your bi-weekly paycheck
    • Semi-monthly
      Your net pay / 24 = Your semi-monthly paycheck
    • Monthly
      Your net pay / 12 = Your monthly paycheck
    • Quarterly
      Your net pay / 4 = Your quarterly paycheck
    • Semi-annual
      Your net pay / 2 = Your semi-annual paycheck
    • Annual
      Your net pay = Your annual paycheck

State payroll tax

Tax year Tax name Percent of taxable wage Up to taxable wage
2024 State Disability Insurance (SDI) 1.1% Unlimited
2023 0.9% $153,164
2022 1.1% $145,600
2021 1.2% $128,298
2020 1% $122,909

State income tax brackets

Each filer type has different progressive tax rates. Refer to Tax Foundation for more details.

Tax year Filing status Taxable income Rate
2023 Single
Married, Filing Separately
$0 - $10,412 1%
$10,412 - $24,684 2%
$24,684 - $38,959 4%
$38,959 - $54,081 6%
$54,081 - $68,350 8%
$68,350 - $349,137 9.3%
$349,137 - $418,961 10.3%
$418,961 - $698,271 11.3%
$698,271 - $1,000,000 12.3%
$1,000,000 and over 13.3%
Married, Filing Jointly or Widow(er) $0 - $20,824 1%
$20,824 - $49,368 2%
$49,368 - $77,918 4%
$77,918 - $108,162 6%
$108,162 - $136,700 8%
$136,700 - $698,274 9.3%
$698,274 - $837,922 10.3%
$837,922 - $1,000,000 11.3%
$1,000,000 - $1,396,542 12.3%
$1,396,542 and over 13.3%
Head of Household $0 - $20,839 1%
$20,839 - $49,371 2%
$49,371 - $63,644 4%
$63,644 - $78,765 6%
$78,765 - $93,037 8%
$93,037 - $474,824 9.3%
$474,824 - $569,790 10.3%
$569,790 - $949,649 11.3%
$949,649 - $1,000,000 12.3%
$1,000,000 and over 13.3%
2022 Single
Married, Filing Separately
$0 - $10,099 1%
$10,099 - $23,942 2%
$23,942 - $37,788 4%
$37,788 - $52,455 6%
$52,455 - $66,295 8%
$66,295 - $338,639 9.3%
$338,639 - $406,364 10.3%
$406,364 - $677,275 11.3%
$677,275 - $1,000,000 12.3%
$1,000,000 and over 13.3%
Married, Filing Jointly or Widow(er) $0 - $20,198 1%
$20,198 - $47,884 2%
$47,884 - $75,576 4%
$75,576 - $104,910 6%
$104,910 - $132,590 8%
$132,590 - $677,278 9.3%
$677,278 - $812,728 10.3%
$812,728 - $1,000,000 11.3%
$1,000,000 - $1,354,550 12.3%
$1,354,550 and over 13.3%
Head of Household $0 - $20,212 1%
$20,212 - $47,887 2%
$44,217 – $56,999 4%
$56,999 – $70,542 6%
$70,542 – $83,324 8%
$83,324 – $425,251 9.3%
$425,251 – $510,303 10.3%
$510,303 – $850,503 11.3%
$850,503 – $1,000,000 12.3%
$1,000,000 and over 13.3%
2021 Single
Married, Filing Separately
$0 – $9,325 1%
$9,325 – $22,107 2%
$22,107 – $34,892 4%
$34,892 – $48,435 6%
$48,435 – $61,214 8%
$61,214 – $312,686 9.3%
$312,686 – $375,221 10.3%
$375,221 – $625,369 11.3%
$625,369 – $1,000,000 12.3%
$1,000,000 and over 13.3%
Married, Filing Jointly or Widow(er) $0 – $18,650 1%
$18,650 – $44,214 2%
$44,214 – $69,784 4%
$69,784 – $96,870 6%
$96,870 – $122,428 8%
$122,428 – $625,372 9.3%
$625,372 – $750,442 10.3%
$750,442 – $1,000,000 11.3%
$1,000,000 – $1,250,738 12.3%
$1,250,738 and over 13.3%
Head of Household $0 – $18,663 1%
$18,663 – $44,217 2%
$44,217 – $56,999 4%
$56,999 – $70,542 6%
$70,542 – $83,324 8%
$83,324 – $425,251 9.3%
$425,251 – $510,303 10.3%
$510,303 – $850,503 11.3%
$850,503 – $1,000,000 12.3%
$1,000,000 and over 13.3%
2020 Single
Married, Filing Separately
$0 – $8,932 1%
$8,932 – $21,175 2%
$21,175 – $33,421 4%
$33,421 – $46,394 6%
$46,394 – $58,634 8%
$58,634 – $299,508 9.3%
$299,508 – $359,407 10.3%
$359,407 – $599,012 11.3%
$599,012 – $1,000,000 12.3%
$1,000,000 and over 13.3%
Married, Filing Jointly or Widow(er) $0 – $17,864 1%
$17,864 – $42,350 2%
$42,350 – $66,842 4%
$66,842 – $92,788 6%
$92,788 – $117,268 8%
$117,268 – $599,016 9.3%
$599,016 – $718,814 10.3%
$718,814 – $1,000,000 11.3%
$1,000,000 – $1,198,024 12.3%
$1,198,024 and over 13.3%
Head of Household $0 – $17,864 1%
$17,864 – $42,353 2%
$42,353 – $54,597 4%
$54,597 – $67,569 6%
$67,569 – $79,812 8%
$79,812 – $407,329 9.3%
$407,329 – $488,796 10.3%
$488,796 – $814,658 11.3%
$814,658 – $1,000,000 12.3%
$1,000,000 and over 13.3%

State standard deduction

Tax year Filing status Standard deduction amount
2023 Single
Married, Filing Separately
Head of Household
$5,363
Married, Filing Jointly $10,726
2022 Single
Married, Filing Separately
Head of Household
$5,202
Married, Filing Jointly $10,404
2021 Single
Married, Filing Separately
Head of Household
$4,803
Married, Filing Jointly $9,606
2020 Single
Married, Filing Separately
Head of Household
$4,601
Married, Filing Jointly $9,202

State exemptions

There are state-level exemptions for all type of filers and dependents. All exemptions are in the form of tax credits. Refer to Tax Foundation for more details.

FAQs

How to calculate take home pay in California?

Calculating your take-home pay in California includes a few steps:

  1. Determine your gross income
  2. Work out your total federal income tax
  3. Calculate your total California state income tax
  4. Gross income minus taxes, deductions and withholdings
  5. Divide your net pay by your pay frequency

How much will California tax paychecks in 2024?

California employs a progressive state income tax system, ranging from 1% to 13.3%. The tax brackets are different for single and married filers but the percentage rates remain the same. There is also a 1.2% State Disability Insurance (SDI).

How much is taken out of my paycheck in California?

Besides federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, California state income tax (1% to 13.3%) and State Disability Insurance (1.2%) are also deducted from your paychecks. You may also have deductions for health insurance, retirement savings, and other benefits.

What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes in California?

The taxes on your paycheck include

  • federal income tax (10% to 37%)
  • state income tax (1% to 13.3%)
  • Social Security (6.2%)
  • Medicare (1.45% to 2.35%)
  • state disability insurance (1.2%)
The total tax varies depending on your earnings, number of dependents and other factors. The combined tax percentage usually ranges from 20% to 35%.