Updated for 2026 — CA minimum wage data included

California Hourly Paycheck Calculator 2026

Enter your hourly rate and hours per week to see your biweekly and monthly take-home pay after California taxes. Includes 2026 CA state tax, federal tax, FICA, and SDI.

Deduction
Per Biweekly
Annual
Gross Pay
$2,000$52,000
Federal Income Tax
$162$4,202
California State Tax
$53$1,385
Social Security (6.2%)
$124$3,224
Medicare (1.45%+)
$29$754
California SDI (1.1%)
$22$572
Net Take-Home
$1,610
$41,863
Effective total rate: 19.5%
Effective CA rate: 2.7%
Marginal CA bracket: 6.0%
take-home81%
Where your pay goes
Federal Tax
8.1%
CA State Tax
2.7%
Social Security
6.2%
Medicare
1.5%
SDI
1.1%
Take-Home
80.5%

What is SDI? State Disability Insurance — California's mandatory payroll deduction. For 2026 it is 1.1% of your gross wages with no wage cap. It funds disability benefits and Paid Family Leave. What is SDI? →

Compare to Texas, Florida, or other no-tax states →
Your California Tax Bracket Position
1%2%4%6%8%9.3%…13.3%

Your salary of $52,000 puts you in the 6.0% marginal bracket. Your effective California income tax rate is 2.7% — only the income above each threshold is taxed at the higher rate.

California Minimum Wage 2026

California's statewide minimum wage is $16.50/hour in 2026. Many cities set higher local minimums. Fast food workers are covered by a separate $20/hour minimum under AB 1228 (2024). Healthcare workers have phased minimums of up to $25/hour at large facilities.

City / AreaMinimum Wage 2026
Statewide$16.50
San Francisco$18.67
Los Angeles$17.28
San Jose$17.55
Berkeley$18.67
Santa Monica$17.27
Pasadena$17.50
West Hollywood$19.08

Hourly Rate to Biweekly Take-Home (California, 2026)

Estimated figures for a single filer working 40 hours/week, biweekly pay, standard deductions, no pre-tax contributions. Use the calculator above for your personalised figures.

Hourly RateAnnual GrossBiweekly Take-Home (est.)
$16.50 (CA min wage)$34,320~$1,103
$18.67 (SF min wage)$38,834~$1,234
$20.00$41,600~$1,314
$25.00$52,000~$1,610
$30.00$62,400~$1,902
$35.00$72,800~$2,151
$40.00$83,200~$2,393
$50.00$104,000~$2,872
$60.00$124,800~$3,347
$75.00$156,000~$4,042

What Taxes Are Withheld from a California Hourly Paycheck?

California hourly workers face the same tax stack as salaried workers — the only difference is how your gross pay is calculated. On each paycheck, your employer withholds:

Federal Income Tax

10–37% progressive, based on biweekly gross × 26 annualised. Your employer uses IRS Publication 15-T tables.

California State Income Tax (CA FTB)

1–13.3% progressive. Uses CA DE-4 or W-4 withholding tables. The CA standard deduction ($5,202 single) means more of your income is taxable in CA than federally.

Social Security (6.2%)

On all wages up to the $176,100 annual wage base. For a $16.50/hour worker, Social Security is deducted on every paycheck — you won't hit the cap.

Medicare (1.45%)

No wage cap. Every hourly dollar is subject to Medicare.

California SDI (1.1%)

State Disability Insurance — mandatory, no opt-out. Funds short-term disability and Paid Family Leave. No cap on wages since January 2024.

Try the annual salary calculator →What is California SDI? →

Hourly Paycheck Calculator — FAQ