California paycheck calculator
What you'll take home in California after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax rates from 1% to 13.3%.
Take-home pay in California at common wages
| Pay | Gross per check | Federal | Social Security + Medicare | California tax | Other | Take-home per check | Take-home per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $12/hour | $960.00 | $34.08 | $73.44 | $4.79 | $12.48 | $835.21 | $21,715 |
| $15/hour | $1,200.00 | $60.15 | $91.80 | $9.59 | $15.60 | $1,022.85 | $26,594 |
| $18/hour | $1,440.00 | $88.95 | $110.16 | $18.73 | $18.72 | $1,203.44 | $31,289 |
| $20/hour | $1,600.00 | $108.15 | $122.40 | $25.13 | $20.80 | $1,323.52 | $34,411 |
| $25/hour | $2,000.00 | $156.15 | $153.00 | $44.98 | $26.00 | $1,619.87 | $42,117 |
| $30/hour | $2,400.00 | $204.15 | $183.60 | $68.98 | $31.20 | $1,912.07 | $49,714 |
| $35,000/year | $1,346.15 | $77.69 | $102.98 | $14.97 | $17.50 | $1,133.01 | $29,458 |
| $50,000/year | $1,923.08 | $146.92 | $147.12 | $40.37 | $25.00 | $1,563.67 | $40,656 |
| $75,000/year | $2,884.62 | $295.00 | $220.67 | $107.22 | $37.50 | $2,224.22 | $57,830 |
Single filer, no dependents, paid every two weeks, 40 hours a week, no overtime or pre-tax benefits, W-4 Step 2 unchecked. “Other” is California SDI.
How California taxes your paycheck
California uses tax brackets, so each rate applies only to the part of your taxable income inside that bracket. 2026 brackets:
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 1% | $0 to $11,079 | $0 to $22,158 |
| 2% | $11,079 to $26,264 | $22,158 to $52,528 |
| 4% | $26,264 to $41,452 | $52,528 to $82,904 |
| 6% | $41,452 to $57,542 | $82,904 to $115,084 |
| 8% | $57,542 to $72,724 | $115,084 to $145,448 |
| 9.3% | $72,724 to $371,479 | $145,448 to $742,958 |
| 10.3% | $371,479 to $445,771 | $742,958 to $891,542 |
| 11.3% | $445,771 to $742,953 | $891,542 to $1,000,000 |
| 12.3% | $742,953 to $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 to $1,485,906 |
| 13.3% | Over $1,000,000 | Over $1,485,906 |
Before the brackets apply:
- Standard deduction: $5,540 single, $11,080 married filing jointly.
- Personal tax credit: $153 per filer.
- Dependent tax credit: $475 each.
California has separate head of household brackets; this uses single brackets, so the state tax may run a little high.
Other deductions required in California
- California SDI: 1.3% of wages
Federal taxes on every paycheck
Federal income tax is withheld using the IRS percentage method in Publication 15-T for 2026, based on your W-4. Social Security takes 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 a year, and Medicare takes 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000. These are the same in every state.
Questions
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California's 2026 rate is 1% to 13.3%, applied after the deductions listed above.
How much is $15 an hour after taxes in California?
About $1,023 every two weeks, or $26,594 a year, for a single worker with no pre-tax benefits working 40 hours a week.
How much is $20 an hour after taxes in California?
About $1,324 every two weeks, or $34,411 a year, under the same assumptions.
Why is my real paycheck different?
Health insurance, retirement savings, your W-4 answers, overtime, tips and local taxes all change your paycheck. Enter yours in the full calculator for an exact estimate.
Keep going
Sources
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026) · Federal income tax withholding
- Tax Foundation · 2026 state income tax rates and deductions
- California EDD · 2026 California SDI rate
These are estimates for planning, not tax advice. Your employer's payroll system, local taxes and benefits can change the exact amount. Leftover Planner is not affiliated with the IRS or any state agency.