California charges 1-13.3% state income tax. Use the employer cost calculator pre-loaded with California rates.
Open Employer Cost Calculator →Employers in California must withhold and remit the graduated state income tax, plus handle their share of FICA, FUTA, and California's state unemployment insurance. The total cost to employ someone at a $75,000 salary in California is typically 10-15% above the gross salary, covering the employer's payroll tax share, SUI, workers' comp, and benefits. This calculator breaks down the full employer cost with California's specific tax rates.
California uses a graduated income tax with brackets ranging from 1-13.3%. Lower income is taxed at lower rates, with the 13.3% top rate applying only to income in the highest bracket. This progressive structure means your effective state tax rate is always lower than the top marginal rate. California does not have local income taxes, so the state graduated rate is the total state-level income tax burden.
The table below shows what you actually keep at five salary levels in California, accounting for federal tax, FICA, and California's graduated (1-13.3%) state tax.
See how California compares to other West states. Each link takes you to the employer cost calculator landing page for that state.
For a comprehensive breakdown of California’s tax structure, salary comparisons, cost-of-living analysis, and more, visit the full California take-home pay page.