Your work. Your state. Your take-home.
California paycheck calculator 2026
See what lands in your bank account. Estimate California take-home pay after federal and state taxes and your benefits.
Your pay details
2026 tax yearEstimated take-home pay
Average per paycheck - every 2 weeks
Current 2026 rules projected over a full year.
This is a full-year average. Actual checks can change when Social Security or state wage caps are reached, or Additional Medicare withholding begins.
IRS, SSA and state agency rules, linked below.
Employee taxes and benefits shown separately.
Steady wages projected over a full year.
How California taxes your paycheck
California income-tax withholding is calculated with the EDD 2026 Method B schedule. It uses state filing status, DE 4 allowances, an income exemption and a standard deduction. These payroll withholding rates should not be confused with the rates used on a year-end income-tax return.
California SDI is a separate employee deduction. Its 2026 rate is 1.3% of subject wages, with no annual wage ceiling. State disability and paid family leave benefits are funded through this combined deduction; the calculator does not add a second California PFL charge.
An ordinary pre-tax 401(k) lowers California income-tax wages but normally does not lower SDI wages. Qualifying Section 125 health-insurance deductions lower both. HSA contributions and nonstandard benefit plans can have different California treatment and are outside this calculator.
Schedule effective 2026-01-01. Annual totals project this schedule over a full year; they do not reconstruct earlier 2026 checks.
| Filing status / annual taxable wage band | 2026 withholding rate |
|---|---|
| Single - $0 to $11,079 | 1.1% |
| Single - $11,079 to $26,264 | 2.2% |
| Single - $26,264 to $41,452 | 4.4% |
| Single - $41,452 to $57,542 | 6.6% |
| Single - $57,542 to $72,724 | 8.8% |
| Single - $72,724 to $371,479 | 10.23% |
| Single - $371,479 to $445,771 | 11.33% |
| Single - $445,771 to $742,953 | 12.43% |
| Single - $742,953 to $1,000,000 | 13.53% |
| Single - Over $1,000,000 | 14.63% |
| Married - $0 to $22,158 | 1.1% |
| Married - $22,158 to $52,528 | 2.2% |
| Married - $52,528 to $82,904 | 4.4% |
| Married - $82,904 to $115,084 | 6.6% |
| Married - $115,084 to $145,448 | 8.8% |
| Married - $145,448 to $742,958 | 10.23% |
| Married - $742,958 to $891,542 | 11.33% |
| Married - $891,542 to $1,000,000 | 12.43% |
| Married - $1,000,000 to $1,485,906 | 13.53% |
| Married - Over $1,485,906 | 14.63% |
| Head - $0 to $22,173 | 1.1% |
| Head - $22,173 to $52,530 | 2.2% |
| Head - $52,530 to $67,716 | 4.4% |
| Head - $67,716 to $83,805 | 6.6% |
| Head - $83,805 to $98,990 | 8.8% |
| Head - $98,990 to $505,208 | 10.23% |
| Head - $505,208 to $606,251 | 11.33% |
| Head - $606,251 to $1,000,000 | 12.43% |
| Head - $1,000,000 to $1,010,417 | 13.53% |
| Head - Over $1,010,417 | 14.63% |
| California SDI | 1.3% of subject wages; no wage ceiling |
These are employee payroll withholding rules. Your final income tax return may use different deductions, credits or rates.
California take-home pay examples
Compare three salaries with the same calculator. These examples update with your filing status, pay frequency and benefits settings.
| Annual salary | Annual take-home | Average paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000.00 | $32,990.74 | $1,268.87 |
| $75,000.00 | $57,397.17 | $2,207.58 |
| $120,000.00 | $83,915.22 | $3,227.51 |
Single, biweekly pay, no 401(k), health premium or extra federal withholding, and the state defaults shown above.
Common paycheck questions
What is California SDI for 2026?
The employee rate is 1.3% of covered wages, with no annual wage cap. California paid family leave is included in SDI.
Why do the displayed withholding rates look different from income-tax brackets?
This calculator uses EDD Method B payroll withholding rates. Withholding is a prepayment; the final tax on a state return can differ.
Does my federal filing status set my California allowances?
No. California uses Form DE 4. This estimate starts with zero state allowances, and you can enter your actual state election.
Does a 401(k) lower SDI?
Ordinary retirement salary deferrals lower income-tax wages but remain in SDI wages. Certain cafeteria-plan arrangements are different; this estimator assumes an ordinary 401(k).
How accurate is this California paycheck calculator?
It estimates regular wages using official 2026 withholding rules and the assumptions shown. Bonuses, multiple jobs, credits, employer plans and year-to-date pay can change actual checks. Compare the result with your pay stub and withholding certificates.
Are my salary details stored?
No. The calculation runs in your browser. Your entries are not sent to a calculation server, saved to local storage or used for advertising.
Official sources & last update
Rules reviewed on October 23, 2026. The linked agencies publish the authoritative rules. This website independently implements them; it is not an agency service.
- California EDD: 2026 Method B exact withholding, annual tables 1-7
Retrieved 2026-10-23 - California EDD: 2026 contribution rates
Retrieved 2026-10-23 - California EDD: taxability of employee benefits, cafeteria and retirement sections
Retrieved 2026-10-23 - IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and annual standard withholding schedules
Retrieved 2026-10-23 - IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32, sections 3.01 and 3.14 (2026 brackets and standard deduction)
Retrieved 2026-10-23 - SSA Contribution and Benefit Base, 2026 row
Retrieved 2026-10-23 - IRS Publication 15 (2026), sections 9 and 15 (FICA, Additional Medicare and traditional 401(k))
Retrieved 2026-10-23 - IRS qualified cafeteria-plan benefit tax treatment
Retrieved 2026-10-23 - IRS 2026 401(k) contribution limits
Retrieved 2026-10-23
Found a discrepancy? Compare the displayed assumption with the linked schedule and your pay stub. Until it is resolved, use your employer’s payroll calculation or consult a qualified tax professional.