California Hourly Paycheck Calculator 2026
Estimate your 2026 California hourly take-home pay after federal tax, has a progressive state income tax, and FICA. Enter your hourly rate, weekly hours and any overtime to see what actually lands in each paycheck.
Paid a salary instead? Use the California salary paycheck calculator.
Paid at 1.5× your hourly rate.
Health, HSA, FSA, etc.
- Gross (per paycheck)
- $1,600.00
- Federal income tax
- −$98.55
- California state tax
- −$27.81
- FICA (SS + Medicare)
- −$122.40
- 401(k) contribution
- −$80.00
- Net (per paycheck)
- $1,271.23
At $20.00/hr for 40 hrs a week, that's about $41,600 a year, of which an estimated $723 goes to California state income tax.
Estimate using 2026 federal and state rates. Excludes local taxes, credits and other deductions.
California take-home pay by hourly wage
Estimated take-home pay for common full-time wages (40 hours a week, single filer, no 401(k)) in California for 2026.
| Hourly wage | Weekly net | Bi-weekly net | Annual net |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00/hr | $516.28 | $1,032.57 | $26,847 |
| $18.00/hr | $608.14 | $1,216.27 | $31,623 |
| $20.00/hr | $669.22 | $1,338.43 | $34,799 |
| $25.00/hr | $819.99 | $1,639.98 | $42,640 |
| $30.00/hr | $968.69 | $1,937.38 | $50,372 |
| $35.00/hr | $1,101.54 | $2,203.08 | $57,280 |
Figures use 2026 rates and are estimates for planning — not tax advice. They exclude local taxes, credits and other deductions.
California income tax in 2026, briefly
California uses graduated brackets, so higher income is taxed at higher marginal rates. California also withholds 1.3% SDI on all wages (2026, no cap) and adds a 1% surtax on income over $1M — neither is modeled here.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is $20 an hour after taxes in California?
- Working 40 hours a week, $20 an hour is about $41,600 a year gross. After 2026 federal income tax, FICA, and California state income tax (single, no 401(k)), we estimate roughly $34,799 a year take-home — about $669.22 a week or $1,338.43 per bi-weekly paycheck. Enter your own hours and deductions above for a personalized figure.
- Is overtime taxed more in California?
- No. Overtime pay is taxed at the same income-tax rates as your regular wages — there is no special California overtime tax rate. A large overtime check can have more tax withheld up front, because payroll systems briefly treat that paycheck as if you earned that much every period, but the extra withholding is reconciled when you file — the actual tax rate on overtime dollars is unchanged.
- Does California have a state income tax?
- Yes. California uses a progressive state income tax with rates that rise across income brackets. California also withholds 1.3% SDI on all wages (2026, no cap) and adds a 1% surtax on income over $1M — neither is modeled here.
- How accurate is this California hourly paycheck calculator?
- It's a close estimate, but it doesn't model local (city/county) taxes, tax credits, or every deduction, and rates change over time. Your actual pay stub is the source of truth.