| Annual Gross Pay | $'+gross.toLocaleString()+' |
| Federal Income Tax | -$'+fedTax.toLocaleString(undefined,{maximumFractionDigits:0})+' |
| CA State Income Tax | -$'+caTax.toLocaleString(undefined,{maximumFractionDigits:0})+' |
| Social Security (FICA) | -$'+ficaTax.toLocaleString(undefined,{maximumFractionDigits:0})+' |
| Medicare | -$'+medTax.toLocaleString(undefined,{maximumFractionDigits:0})+' |
| CA SDI (Disability) | -$'+sdiTax.toLocaleString(undefined,{maximumFractionDigits:0})+' |
| Pre-tax Contributions | -$'+pretax.toLocaleString()+' |
| Annual Net Pay | $'+netAnnual.toLocaleString(undefined,{minimumFractionDigits:2,maximumFractionDigits:2})+' |
Using the Salary Calculator California
Navigating the complex landscape of Golden State taxes requires precision. This salary calculator california is designed to provide residents with a detailed estimate of their take-home pay after all mandatory federal and state deductions. Whether you are considering a new job offer in Silicon Valley or planning your budget in Los Angeles, understanding the difference between your gross salary and your net check is essential.
To get an accurate result, ensure you have your annual gross income and any voluntary pre-tax contributions (like 401k or health insurance premiums) ready.
- Gross Annual Salary
- Your total yearly earnings before any taxes or deductions are removed. This is typically the number listed on your employment contract.
- Filing Status
- Choose between 'Single' or 'Married Filing Jointly'. This significantly impacts your standard deduction and tax bracket thresholds for both federal and California state taxes.
- Pre-tax Deductions
- Enter the total annual amount you contribute to tax-advantaged accounts like a 401(k), 403(b), or HSA. These contributions lower your taxable income.
How the California Payroll Tax Works
When you receive a paycheck in California, several entities take a "slice" of your earnings. The formula used by our salary calculator california follows the standard progressive tax logic:
Net Pay = Gross Pay – (Federal Tax + CA State Tax + FICA + CA SDI + Pre-tax Deductions)
- Federal Income Tax: Applied via progressive brackets ranging from 10% to 37%.
- California State Tax: Known for having high top rates, CA taxes start at 1% and scale up to 13.3% (including the Mental Health Services Act tax for high earners).
- FICA (Social Security & Medicare): A flat federal payroll tax. Social Security is 6.2% (capped) and Medicare is 1.45% (uncapped).
- CA SDI: California State Disability Insurance is 1.1%. As of 2024, the wage cap for SDI contributions has been removed.
California Calculation Example
Example: A single professional in San Diego earning $100,000 annually with no pre-tax deductions.
Step-by-step breakdown (2024 Estimates):
- Gross Pay: $100,000
- FICA (Social Security): 6.2% of $100k = $6,200
- Medicare: 1.45% of $100k = $1,450
- CA SDI: 1.1% of $100k = $1,100
- Federal Tax: After the $14,600 standard deduction, taxable income is $85,400. Estimated tax: ~$13,800.
- CA State Tax: After the $5,363 CA standard deduction, taxable income is $94,637. Estimated tax: ~$5,800.
- Total Estimated Net Annual Pay: ~$71,650
- Monthly Take-Home: ~$5,970
Common Questions
Why is California state tax so high?
California uses a highly progressive tax system. While lower-income earners pay relatively small percentages (1-4%), the rates jump quickly for middle and high-income earners to fund state-wide infrastructure, education, and social programs. Our salary calculator california accounts for these specific state-level brackets.
What is the SDI deduction on my CA paycheck?
SDI stands for State Disability Insurance. It is a mandatory payroll deduction that provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who suffer a loss of wages due to non-work-related illnesses, injuries, or pregnancy. In 2024, the rate is 1.1% on all income.
Does this calculator include local city taxes?
Most cities in California do not have a local income tax (unlike NYC or Philadelphia). However, some specific local payroll taxes might apply to employers in San Francisco. This calculator focuses on the primary Federal and State burdens that affect almost all California employees.