California paycheck calculator
California has a progressive (graduated) state income tax. Enter your hourly wage below to estimate your Californiatake-home pay after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state income tax.
Paycheck calculator
Estimated take-home pay
$1,640.36every two weeks
$42,649 a year ·$3,554 a month
| Gross pay | $52,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | −$4,060.00 |
| California income tax | −$1,312.53 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$3,224.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$754.00 |
| Additional Medicare (0.9%) | −$0.00 |
| Pre-tax deductions | −$0.00 |
| Net (take-home) | $42,649.47 |
Effective tax + FICA rate: 18.0%· Marginal federal bracket: 12%
Estimate only. Excludes local/city taxes, employer benefit elections, W-4 adjustments, and other withholdings. Your actual paycheck will differ. This is not tax advice.
California income tax rules (2026)
California uses graduated brackets (single filer shown; married brackets are wider). A $5,706 standard deduction applies first.
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,079 | 1.00% |
| $11,079 – $26,264 | 2.00% |
| $26,264 – $41,452 | 4.00% |
| $41,452 – $57,542 | 6.00% |
| $57,542 – $72,724 | 8.00% |
| $72,724 – $371,479 | 9.30% |
| $371,479 – $445,771 | 10.30% |
| $445,771 – $742,953 | 11.30% |
| $742,953+ | 12.30% |
Progressive 1%–12.3% using California's 2025 tax rate schedules — the latest the FTB has published; the inflation-adjusted 2026 schedules are not yet released. Estimates exclude the separate California State Disability Insurance (SDI) payroll deduction of 1.3% on all wages.
Source: California Franchise Tax Board, 2025 California Tax Rate Schedules and Form 540 booklet (standard deduction, Behavioral Health Services Tax). https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2025/2025-540-tax-rate-schedules.pdf · Verified 2025-12-01. See ourmethodology for all figures.
Take-home pay by wage in California
Single filer, 40 hours a week, 2026 rates.
| Hourly | Gross / yr | Take-home / yr |
|---|---|---|
| $15/hr | $31,200 | $26,850 |
| $16/hr | $33,280 | $28,454 |
| $17/hr | $35,360 | $30,042 |
| $18/hr | $37,440 | $31,630 |
| $20/hr | $41,600 | $34,806 |
| $22/hr | $45,760 | $37,982 |
| $25/hr | $52,000 | $42,649 |
| $28/hr | $58,240 | $47,289 |
| $30/hr | $62,400 | $50,382 |
| $35/hr | $72,800 | $57,293 |
| $40/hr | $83,200 | $63,716 |
| $45/hr | $93,600 | $70,065 |
| $50/hr | $104,000 | $76,414 |
| $60/hr | $124,800 | $89,052 |
| $75/hr | $156,000 | $107,476 |
Frequently asked questions
- Does California have a state income tax?
- Yes. California uses graduated brackets from 1.00% up to 12.30%. Progressive 1%–12.3% using California's 2025 tax rate schedules — the latest the FTB has published; the inflation-adjusted 2026 schedules are not yet released. Estimates exclude the separate California State Disability Insurance (SDI) payroll deduction of 1.3% on all wages.
- How much is $20 an hour after taxes in California?
- About $34,806 a year, or $2,900 a month take-home, for a single filer at 40 hours a week — an effective rate of 16.3%.
- What taxes come out of my paycheck in California?
- Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45%), and California state income tax. Local city taxes are not included in this estimate.