California Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your California take-home pay after federal tax, FICA and California state income tax. California uses a progressive income tax with some of the highest top rates in the country.
Estimate only. Based on 2024 federal brackets, FICA, and an approximate average state rate. Actual withholding depends on allowances, pre-tax deductions and local taxes.
California state income tax
California income tax is progressive, ranging from 1% to 13.3% (the top rate applies to very high earners). Our estimate uses an approximate effective rate for a quick result.
Local taxes & deductions
California also funds State Disability Insurance (SDI) through payroll, which is withheld separately from income tax and not included in this estimate.
Federal tax & FICA
Even in a high-tax state, Washington DC takes the bigger slice: on California's average pay of about $92,000 a year (BLS QCEW, 2024) roughly three-quarters of everything withheld is federal income tax plus FICA, and only about a quarter is California state tax. FICA is 6.2% Social Security on wages up to the annual cap plus 1.45% Medicare with no cap — so a California salary well into six figures stops adding Social Security part-way through the year while Medicare keeps accruing.
California income tax brackets
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| First ~$10,400 | 1.0% |
| ~$10,400 – $61,200 | 2.0% – 6.0% |
| ~$61,200 – $375,200 | 8.0% – 9.3% |
| Above ~$375,200 | 10.3% – 13.3% |
Approximate single-filer brackets; thresholds are indexed each year. The calculator above applies an effective rate rather than bracket-by-bracket state math.
Estimate only. Actual withholding depends on allowances, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and other factors. This tool is for educational use, not tax advice.
Want to see how much tax you'll pay instead? Income tax calculator by state.
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