California Paycheck Calculator (2026)
Estimate your California take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, California income tax and State Disability Insurance (SDI).
California income tax and SDI in 2026
California has a progressive income tax with nine rates from 1% to 12.3%, plus an extra 1% Mental Health Services Tax on taxable income above $1 million. It also withholds State Disability Insurance (SDI) from every paycheck. The 2026 SDI rate is 1.3% of all wages, with no wage cap.
This calculator uses the latest published Franchise Tax Board bracket thresholds (the 2025 schedule), the state standard deduction of $5,706 single or $11,412 married filing jointly, and the personal exemption credit. California adjusts these amounts for inflation every year, so your real figures can differ slightly.
Example take-home pay in California
Single filer, no 401(k), paid every 2 weeks:
California income tax brackets for 2026
These are the rates applied to your California taxable income, which is your pay after the deductions and exemptions described above.
| Single filers | Rate | Married filing jointly | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $11,079 | 1% | Up to $22,158 | 1% |
| $11,079 to $26,264 | 2% | $22,158 to $52,528 | 2% |
| $26,264 to $41,452 | 4% | $52,528 to $82,904 | 4% |
| $41,452 to $57,542 | 6% | $82,904 to $115,084 | 6% |
| $57,542 to $72,724 | 8% | $115,084 to $145,448 | 8% |
| $72,724 to $371,479 | 9.3% | $145,448 to $742,958 | 9.3% |
| $371,479 to $445,771 | 10.3% | $742,958 to $891,542 | 10.3% |
| $445,771 to $742,953 | 11.3% | $891,542 to $1,485,906 | 11.3% |
| Over $742,953 | 12.3% | Over $1,485,906 | 12.3% |
California take-home pay at different salaries
Estimated yearly figures for a single filer with no 401(k), using the same rules as the calculator above.
| Salary | Federal tax | Social Security + Medicare | California taxes | Take-home / year | Every 2 weeks | Total tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $612 | $25,673 | $987 | 14.4% |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,690 | $40,665 | $1,564 | 18.7% |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $3,750 | $57,843 | $2,225 | 22.9% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $6,355 | $72,825 | $2,801 | 27.2% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $11,655 | $102,136 | $3,928 | 31.9% |
How to keep more of your paycheck in California
On a $60,000 salary, putting 5% ($3,000) into a traditional 401(k) reduces your yearly take-home pay by about $2,460 (roughly $95 less every 2 weeks). That is less than the full $3,000 because the contribution saves about $360 in federal income tax and about $180 in California tax. The tax you avoid stays in your pocket instead of going to the government.
Filing status also matters. A married couple filing jointly with one $60,000 income takes home about $51,346 a year in California, compared with $47,970 for a single filer, mostly because of the larger standard deduction and wider tax brackets.
How this calculator works
We subtract your 401(k) contribution and the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly), then apply the 2026 federal brackets (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Social Security is 6.2% up to $184,500 of pay, and Medicare is 1.45% (plus 0.9% on high pay). California's standard deduction is much smaller than the federal one, so more of your pay is taxed at the state level.
California paycheck questions
Is SDI taken out of every California paycheck?
Yes. SDI is withheld from employee wages at 1.3% in 2026, and there is no maximum, so higher earners pay it on every dollar. It funds short-term disability and Paid Family Leave benefits.
Are 401(k) contributions taxed by California?
Traditional pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce your California taxable wages, just as they reduce federal taxable wages. This calculator subtracts them before computing state tax.
Why does my real paycheck differ from this estimate?
Your employer withholds using your DE 4 and W-4 elections. This page estimates the tax you actually owe on your salary using the standard deduction, so withholding can be higher or lower.
Rates last updated: October 2026. This is an estimate and does not include credits, benefits or W-4 changes. Official source: California Franchise Tax Board.