Use our California Paycheck Calculator to quickly figure out how much you’ll take home after taxes. Just enter your salary, pay frequency, and deductions and get a detailed breakdown of your gross pay, taxes, and net pay in seconds.
How Your California Paycheck is Calculated
To estimate your take-home pay, the calculator uses:
Gross Pay
– (Federal Income Tax + State Income Tax + Local Taxes + FICA / Payroll Taxes + State-specific withholdings)
= Net Pay (Take-Home Pay)
Here’s how each component works:
- Gross Pay – Your full earnings before any deductions (salary, hourly wages, overtime, bonuses).
- Federal Income Tax – The amount withheld based on federal brackets, your filing status, and allowances.
- FICA (Social Security & Medicare) – Payroll taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare.
- State Income Tax – California’s state tax based on your income level and deductions.
- Local Taxes – Any city or county income taxes (if applicable in your area).
- State-Specific Withholdings – California programs like SDI (State Disability Insurance) or other mandatory deductions.
A Guide to California State Payroll Taxes
California State Income Tax
California imposes a progressive (graduated) state income tax. Higher income levels pay higher marginal rates.
Below is a simplified table of 2025 California state tax brackets for single filers (approximate ranges based on recent data):
| Taxable Income Range* | Marginal Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $10,756 | 1.00% |
| $10,757 – $25,499 | 2.00% |
| $25,500 – $40,245 | 4.00% |
| $40,246 – $55,866 | 6.00% |
| $55,867 – $70,606 | 8.00% |
| $70,607 – $360,659 | 9.30% |
| $360,660 – $432,787 | 10.30% |
| $432,788 – $721,314 | 11.30% |
| $721,315 and above | 12.30% |
* These brackets are for single filers; joint or head-of-household filers have different ranges.
These rates reflect the current structure published by tax guides.
California also imposes a 1% mental health services surcharge on taxable income above $1 million.
Standard Deduction / Exemptions
- California offers a standard deduction for state returns, which reduces taxable income.
- Unlike some states, California no longer allows a personal exemption credit in the same way (its structure has evolved).
- Always check the latest Franchise Tax Board (FTB) rules for current deduction or credit design.
State-Specific Programs & Withholdings
California has a few state‐specific payroll deductions you’ll see on your paycheck:
- State Disability Insurance (SDI / CASDI): In 2025, the employee withholding rate is 1.2% on all wages (no wage cap).
- This SDI rate covers disability and Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs.
- Earlier, there was a wage cap, but starting in 2024, California removed the cap—so all wages are subject to SDI.
Note: Employers also pay unemployment insurance (UI) and other state employer taxes, but those don’t come directly out of employee paychecks (unless required in specific local circumstances).
Understanding Federal & FICA Taxes
No matter which state you work in, you’ll see FICA payroll taxes and federal income tax withholding. Here’s how they work:
- Social Security tax: 6.2% of wages (up to the annual wage cap).
- Medicare tax: 1.45% on all wages (no cap). Additional 0.9% Medicare surtax may apply for high incomes.
- Federal Income Tax: Based on IRS tax brackets, deductions, and your W-4 withholding info.
These amounts add up to a significant share of your deductions before you see your net pay.
Local Taxes in California
Unlike some states, California generally does not impose local city or county income taxes. Most tax collections are handled at the state or federal level.
If you live in a place that does have local income tax (this is rare in California), your pay stub would show it under a “local tax” or “municipal tax” line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About California Paychecks
What is the minimum wage in California?
As of 2025, the statewide minimum wage is $16.00 per hour for all employers. Some cities (e.g., San Francisco, Los Angeles) have higher local minimum wages.
How often are paydays in California?
California law requires most employees to be paid at least twice per month (semi-monthly), or more frequently if stated in a wage agreement. Some employers pay weekly or bi-weekly.
What is the California state tax rate for 2025?
California’s state tax rates in 2025 are progressive, from 1.0% up to 12.3%, plus a 1% surcharge on income over $1 million. (Effectively up to 13.3% for those earnings.)
Are 1099 contractors subject to California state taxes?
Yes. If you work as an independent contractor (1099), you still pay state income tax on your net earnings and self-employment tax (which covers both the employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare).
What are the overtime laws in California?
In California:
- Overtime pay at 1.5× the regular rate applies for hours over 8 in a day or over 40 in a week.
- Double time (2×) may apply for hours over 12 in a day or over 8 hours on the 7th consecutive working day (in certain settings).
- Some exemptions apply for salaried, executive, or commissioned workers.
Wrap-Up & Tips for Better Estimates
- Always input your correct filing status, number of dependents, and pre-tax deductions (e.g. 401(k), health premiums) to get a more precise net pay result.
- You may also want to factor in other deductions like retirement contributions, health insurance, or wage garnishments to see your final take-home.
- Use our California Paycheck Calculator regularly when your salary, bonuses, or deductions change—especially when you move between cities like San Diego or San Jose.
- Keep current with state and federal tax updates: new laws can shift rates, brackets, or withholding rules over time.