Estimate your net pay in California with this hourly paycheck calculator. Input your hourly wage, hours worked, and relevant deductions to see a breakdown of your gross pay, taxes, and net take-home pay. This calculator accounts for federal and California state taxes, including FICA (Social Security and Medicare) and CA SDI (State Disability Insurance).
Bi-weekly (26 per year)
Weekly (52 per year)
Semi-monthly (24 per year)
Monthly (12 per year)
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Head of Household
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function calculatePaycheck() {
var hourlyWage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hourlyWage").value);
var regularHours = parseFloat(document.getElementById("regularHours").value);
var overtimeHours1_5x = parseFloat(document.getElementById("overtimeHours1_5x").value);
var doubleOvertimeHours2x = parseFloat(document.getElementById("doubleOvertimeHours2x").value);
var payPeriod = document.getElementById("payPeriod").value;
var federalFilingStatus = document.getElementById("federalFilingStatus").value;
var federalDependents = parseInt(document.getElementById("federalDependents").value);
var stateFilingStatus = document.getElementById("stateFilingStatus").value;
var stateAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("stateAllowances").value);
var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById("preTaxDeductions").value);
var postTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById("postTaxDeductions").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
resultDiv.innerHTML = ""; // Clear previous results
// Input validation
if (isNaN(hourlyWage) || hourlyWage < 0 ||
isNaN(regularHours) || regularHours < 0 ||
isNaN(overtimeHours1_5x) || overtimeHours1_5x < 0 ||
isNaN(doubleOvertimeHours2x) || doubleOvertimeHours2x < 0 ||
isNaN(federalDependents) || federalDependents < 0 ||
isNaN(stateAllowances) || stateAllowances < 0 ||
isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0 ||
isNaN(postTaxDeductions) || postTaxDeductions < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
// 1. Calculate Gross Pay
var regularPay = hourlyWage * regularHours;
var overtimePay1_5x = hourlyWage * 1.5 * overtimeHours1_5x;
var doubleOvertimePay2x = hourlyWage * 2 * doubleOvertimeHours2x;
var grossPay = regularPay + overtimePay1_5x + doubleOvertimePay2x;
// Determine annual pay periods multiplier
var annualPayPeriods;
switch (payPeriod) {
case "weekly":
annualPayPeriods = 52;
break;
case "bi_weekly":
annualPayPeriods = 26;
break;
case "semi_monthly":
annualPayPeriods = 24;
break;
case "monthly":
annualPayPeriods = 12;
break;
default:
annualPayPeriods = 26; // Default to bi-weekly
}
var annualGrossPay = grossPay * annualPayPeriods;
var annualPreTaxDeductions = preTaxDeductions * annualPayPeriods;
// 2. Calculate FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
// FICA is generally calculated on gross pay before pre-tax deductions like 401k, but after health premiums.
// For simplicity, we'll apply it to the full gross pay here.
var socialSecurityWageBase = 168600; // 2024 limit
var medicareHighEarnerThresholdSingle = 200000;
var medicareHighEarnerThresholdMarried = 250000;
var socialSecurityTax = 0;
if (annualGrossPay medicareThreshold) {
var additionalMedicareTaxableAnnual = annualMedicareTaxable – medicareThreshold;
var additionalMedicareTaxablePayPeriod = additionalMedicareTaxableAnnual / annualPayPeriods;
medicareTax += Math.max(0, additionalMedicareTaxablePayPeriod) * 0.009;
}
var totalFicaTax = socialSecurityTax + medicareTax;
// 3. Calculate CA SDI (State Disability Insurance)
var caSdiWageBase = 164600; // 2024 limit
var caSdiTax = 0;
if (annualGrossPay <= caSdiWageBase) {
caSdiTax = grossPay * 0.011;
} else {
caSdiTax = (caSdiWageBase / annualPayPeriods) * 0.011;
}
// 4. Calculate Taxable Gross Pay for Income Tax
var taxableGrossPay = grossPay – preTaxDeductions;
var annualTaxableGrossPay = annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions;
// 5. Calculate Federal Income Tax (Simplified Approximation)
// This is a highly simplified estimation and not IRS-accurate.
var federalTax = 0;
var federalStandardDeduction = (federalFilingStatus === "married_jointly") ? 29200 : 14600; // 2024
var federalTaxableIncomeAnnual = Math.max(0, annualTaxableGrossPay – federalStandardDeduction);
// Simplified Federal Brackets (2024)
if (federalTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 11600) {
federalTax = federalTaxableIncomeAnnual * 0.10;
} else if (federalTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 47150) {
federalTax = 1160 + (federalTaxableIncomeAnnual – 11600) * 0.12;
} else if (federalTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 100525) {
federalTax = 5426 + (federalTaxableIncomeAnnual – 47150) * 0.22;
} else if (federalTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 191950) {
federalTax = 17167.50 + (federalTaxableIncomeAnnual – 100525) * 0.24;
} else { // Higher brackets simplified to a higher rate
federalTax = 39111.50 + (federalTaxableIncomeAnnual – 191950) * 0.32;
}
// Apply simplified child tax credit (non-refundable portion)
var childTaxCredit = Math.min(federalTax, federalDependents * 2000);
federalTax = Math.max(0, federalTax – childTaxCredit);
federalTax = federalTax / annualPayPeriods; // Convert to pay period amount
// 6. Calculate California State Income Tax (Simplified Approximation)
// This is a highly simplified estimation and not EDD-accurate.
var caStateTax = 0;
var caStandardDeduction = 0;
var caPersonalCredit = 0;
var caDependentCredit = 0;
if (stateFilingStatus === "single" || stateFilingStatus === "married_separate") {
caStandardDeduction = 5302; // 2024
caPersonalCredit = 146; // 2024
} else if (stateFilingStatus === "married_jointly") {
caStandardDeduction = 10604; // 2024
caPersonalCredit = 292; // 2024
} else if (stateFilingStatus === "head_of_household") {
caStandardDeduction = 10604; // 2024
caPersonalCredit = 146; // 2024
}
caDependentCredit = stateAllowances * 453; // 2024
var caTaxableIncomeAnnual = Math.max(0, annualTaxableGrossPay – caStandardDeduction);
// Simplified CA Brackets (2024)
if (caTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 10412) {
caStateTax = caTaxableIncomeAnnual * 0.01;
} else if (caTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 24684) {
caStateTax = 104.12 + (caTaxableIncomeAnnual – 10412) * 0.02;
} else if (caTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 38959) {
caStateTax = 390.00 + (caTaxableIncomeAnnual – 24684) * 0.04;
} else if (caTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 54081) {
caStateTax = 961.00 + (caTaxableIncomeAnnual – 38959) * 0.06;
} else if (caTaxableIncomeAnnual <= 68350) {
caStateTax = 1868.00 + (caTaxableIncomeAnnual – 54081) * 0.08;
} else { // Higher brackets simplified to a higher rate
caStateTax = 3019.00 + (caTaxableIncomeAnnual – 68350) * 0.093;
}
var totalCaCredits = caPersonalCredit + caDependentCredit;
caStateTax = Math.max(0, caStateTax – totalCaCredits);
caStateTax = caStateTax / annualPayPeriods; // Convert to pay period amount
// 7. Calculate Total Deductions
var totalDeductions = preTaxDeductions + totalFicaTax + caSdiTax + federalTax + caStateTax + postTaxDeductions;
// 8. Calculate Net Pay
var netPay = grossPay – totalDeductions;
// Display Results
resultDiv.innerHTML =
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Navigating your paycheck can be complex, especially with state-specific regulations like those in California. This hourly paycheck calculator for California is designed to give you a clear estimate of your take-home pay, breaking down gross earnings and various deductions.
How Your Gross Pay is Calculated
Your gross pay is the total amount you earn before any deductions. It includes:
Regular Hours: Your standard hourly wage multiplied by the number of regular hours worked.
Overtime (1.5x): In California, non-exempt employees typically earn 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over 8 in a workday, over 40 in a workweek, and for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
Double Overtime (2x): California law mandates double the regular rate of pay for hours worked over 12 in a workday and for hours worked over 8 on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
Our calculator allows you to input these different types of hours to accurately reflect your total gross earnings for the pay period.
Key Deductions from Your California Paycheck
After calculating your gross pay, several mandatory and optional deductions are applied:
1. Pre-tax Deductions
These are deductions taken from your gross pay before income taxes are calculated, effectively reducing your taxable income. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) retirement plan, health insurance premiums, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
2. FICA Taxes (Federal Insurance Contributions Act)
Social Security: A federal tax that funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. For 2024, the rate is 6.2% on earnings up to $168,600.
Medicare: A federal tax that funds hospital insurance for the elderly and disabled. The rate is 1.45% on all earnings, with an additional 0.9% Medicare tax on earnings above certain thresholds ($200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married filing jointly).
3. California State Disability Insurance (CA SDI)
California is one of the few states with its own state disability insurance program, funded by employee contributions. For 2024, the rate is 1.1% on earnings up to $164,600. This covers short-term disability and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits.
4. Federal Income Tax (FIT)
This is a progressive tax levied by the U.S. government. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly), and the number of dependents you claim on your W-4 form. Our calculator provides an estimate based on simplified federal tax brackets.
5. California State Income Tax (CA PIT)
California has its own progressive state income tax. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household), and the number of allowances you claim on your DE 4 form. Our calculator uses simplified California tax brackets for estimation.
6. Post-tax Deductions
These deductions are taken from your pay after all taxes have been calculated and withheld. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, garnishments, union dues, or certain charitable contributions.
Understanding Your Net Pay
Your net pay, or take-home pay, is the amount remaining after all federal, state, and local taxes, as well as any other deductions, have been subtracted from your gross pay. It's the actual money you receive on payday.
Example Calculation
Let's consider an example for a bi-weekly pay period in California:
From this $2580, various taxes (Federal Income Tax, CA State Income Tax, Social Security, Medicare, CA SDI) and your pre-tax deductions ($150) would be subtracted. The remaining amount would be your net pay. Using the calculator with these inputs will show you the estimated breakdown.
This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes. Actual withholdings may vary based on specific payroll system calculations, additional deductions, and changes in tax laws. For precise figures, always refer to your official pay stub or consult with a tax professional.