See exactly how much you take home working full time at California's 16.90/hr minimum wage after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.
The minimum wage in California is $16.90 per hour in 2026. Working a standard 40-hour week for 52 weeks, your gross annual income is $35,152. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, your estimated take-home pay is $31,600 per year.
Note: This calculator shows federal taxes only. California also has state income tax which will further reduce take-home pay.
| Time Period | Gross Pay | Federal Tax Est. | Take Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $16.90 | $2.79 | $14.11 |
| Weekly (40 hrs) | $676 | $53 | $623 |
| Monthly | $2,860.00 | $397.54 | $2,633 |
| Annual | $35,152 | $2,802 | $31,600 |
Working at the California minimum wage of $16.90/hr, three federal taxes are deducted from every paycheck:
Data sources: Minimum wage rates from U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Tax calculations based on 2026 IRS federal tax brackets. State-specific rates verified against state labor department websites. Last updated: April 2026
Disclaimer: These calculators provide estimates for federal taxes only and should not be considered tax advice. Actual take-home pay may vary based on additional deductions, state/local taxes, filing status, and other factors. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
The 2026 minimum wage is $16.90/hr, but the MIT-calculated living wage for a single adult in this state is approximately $22.78/hr (MIT Living Wage Calculator, Los Angeles County single adult 2026). That's a gap of $5.88/hr between legal minimum and economic sufficiency.
California prohibits employers from applying a tip credit — meaning tipped workers must receive the full $16.90 state minimum wage regardless of how much they earn in tips. This is a major distinction from the federal $2.13 tipped minimum wage. California also has separate minimum wage schedules for fast food workers ($20.00/hr statewide at chains with 60+ locations) and healthcare workers ($18.00–$25.00/hr depending on facility type). If you work in a city or county with a higher local ordinance, your employer must pay the local rate.
| City/Category | 2026 Local Wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| West Hollywood | $20.25 | Highest general rate in CA |
| San Francisco | $18.07 | → Next adjustment Jan 2027 |
| Los Angeles | $17.28 | → $18.42 on July 1, 2026 |
| Emeryville | $18.67 | Highest in Bay Area |
| Fast Food Workers (60+ location chains) | $20.00 | Statewide AB 1228 |
| Healthcare Workers | $18.00–$25.00 | Varies by facility size |
Next increase: July 1, 2026 — CPI-indexed adjustment expected (estimated $17.10–$17.30)
For the official rate schedule, visit the state Department of Labor website.
No tip credit — employers must pay full $16.90
Fully Coupled — California still taxes overtime and tips at state level (1%–13.3% state rate)
Under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), overtime premiums are federally tax-free up to $12,500 (single) and tips are federally tax-free up to $25,000. Whether this benefit is offset by state taxes depends on your state's OBBBA coupling status above.