California Pay Stub Generator

What is withheld on a California pay stub

Every pay stub shows gross pay, each deduction, and net pay for the period and the year to date. These are the employee taxes that apply in California for 2026.

Federal income tax

Withheld from the employee’s Form W-4 using the IRS Publication 15-T method. Same in every state.Source

Social Security

6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500.Source

Medicare

1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages above $200,000 in the year.Source

California income tax

California taxes wages at graduated rates from 1% to 12.3% for 2026.Source

Disability and paid leave

State Disability Insurance (SDI, includes Paid Family Leave), employee paid: 1.3% of wages in 2026, no taxable wage limit (cap removed Jan 1, 2024). Shown as CA SDI.Source

Local income taxes

None. California has no local income tax on employees. San Francisco and other city payroll or business taxes are paid by the employer, not withheld from wages.

Example: a $2,000 biweekly paycheck in California

Calculated by the same engine that builds every Swift Paystubs order: 2026 rules, single filer, standard W-4, no pre-tax deductions or local taxes, first paycheck of the year. Your figures depend on your own details.

California wage rules that shape a pay stub

Minimum wage

$16.90 an hour as of October 6, 2026. Many cities and counties set higher local minimums, and some industries (fast food, health care) have higher statewide rates.Source

Pay frequency

At least twice a month for most employees; exempt executive, administrative and professional employees may be paid monthly.Source

Pay stub law

California requires employers to give an itemized wage statement with each payment of wages, either as a detachable part of the check or separately. It must show gross wages, total hours worked (for non-exempt employees), piece-rate units and rates if any, all deductions, net wages, pay period dates, the employee's name and last four digits of the SSN or an employee ID, the employer's legal name and address, and every hourly rate with the hours worked at each rate. Electronic statements are allowed under Labor Commissioner guidance if employees can choose paper at any time, can access them securely, and can print them at no cost.Source

Employer unemployment tax

Paid by the employer on the first $7,000 of each employee’s wages (2025 wage base). It is an employer cost and does not reduce the employee’s net pay.

Creating a California pay stub with Swift Paystubs

• Choose California as the work state. The state withholding line follows from it.
• Enter the pay rate, hours or salary, pay frequency and W-4 filing status.
• Check the live preview: gross pay, every deduction, net pay and year-to-date totals.
• Pay at checkout and download the PDF. Larger orders cost less per stub.

California pay stub questions