Use this calculator to estimate your take-home pay in California, factoring in federal and state taxes, FICA, California State Disability Insurance (SDI), and common deductions.
Weekly
Bi-weekly
Semi-monthly
Monthly
Federal Withholding
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Head of Household
California State Withholding
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Head of Household
Deductions
Estimated Paycheck Breakdown (Per Pay Period)
Gross Pay:
Pre-tax Deductions:
Federal Income Tax:
California State Income Tax:
Social Security Tax:
Medicare Tax:
California SDI Tax:
Post-tax Deductions:
Net Pay:
Understanding Your California Net Pay
Your net pay, often referred to as take-home pay, is the amount of money you receive after all deductions and taxes have been subtracted from your gross earnings. In California, calculating net pay involves several layers of deductions, including federal taxes, state taxes, and other mandatory contributions.
Gross Pay
This is your total earnings before any deductions. It can be an annual salary, hourly wage multiplied by hours worked, or commission-based income. Our calculator starts with your gross annual salary and divides it by your chosen pay frequency to determine your gross pay per pay period.
Pre-tax Deductions
These are deductions taken from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) or traditional IRA, health insurance premiums, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions. Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, which can lower your federal and state income tax liability.
Federal Income Tax
The U.S. federal government levies income tax on your earnings. The amount withheld depends on your gross income, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household), and any dependents you claim. The calculator uses simplified 2024 federal tax brackets and standard deductions to estimate this amount. Additional federal withholding can be specified if you wish to have more tax taken out of each paycheck.
FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare)
Social Security: This tax funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. For 2024, the rate is 6.2% on earnings up to an annual wage base limit of $168,600.
Medicare: This tax funds health insurance for the elderly and disabled. For 2024, the rate is 1.45% on all earnings. An additional Medicare tax of 0.9% applies to earnings above $200,000 for single filers ($250,000 for married filing jointly).
These taxes are mandatory and are not affected by your filing status or allowances.
California State Income Tax
California has its own progressive income tax system. Like federal taxes, the amount withheld depends on your gross income, filing status, and the number of state withholding allowances you claim. Each allowance reduces your taxable income for state withholding purposes. The calculator uses 2024 California state tax brackets and standard deductions/credits to estimate your state tax.
California State Disability Insurance (SDI)
California is one of a few states that requires employees to contribute to a State Disability Insurance program. SDI provides temporary benefit payments to eligible workers who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury, or a pregnancy. For 2024, the rate is 1.1% on earnings up to an annual wage base limit of $164,609.
Post-tax Deductions
These deductions are taken from your pay after all taxes have been calculated and withheld. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, charitable contributions, or garnishments. These deductions do not reduce your taxable income.
Net Pay
After all these deductions are subtracted from your gross pay, the remaining amount is your net pay – the money that actually lands in your bank account.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on current tax laws and common deductions. It is not financial or tax advice. Actual withholding may vary based on specific circumstances, additional local taxes, and other factors. Consult with a qualified tax professional for personalized advice.