Free California Pay Stub Generator
Generate California-compliant paystubs with CA PIT, SDI, and all required state-specific tax withholdings.
Pacific Coast Marketing Group
2700 Mission Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94110
EIN: 94-8765432
Phone: (415) 555-0374
Employee Information
Emily R. Vasquez
550 Valencia Street, Apt 6, San Francisco, CA 94110
SSN: ***-**-2256
Employee ID: EMP-1489
Pay Period
10/08/2026
10/21/2026
10/26/2026
Bi-Weekly
Earnings
| Description | Hours | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Pay | 80.00 | $28.00 | $2240.00 |
| Overtime Pay | 6.00 | $42.00 | $252.00 |
| Total Earnings | $2492.00 | ||
Tax Withholdings
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | $188.79 |
| CA PIT (State Income Tax) | $67.01 |
| CA SDI (1.3%) | $31.16 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $148.61 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $34.76 |
| Total Tax Withholdings | $470.33 |
Pre-Tax Deductions
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| 401(k) Contribution | $125.00 |
| Health Insurance | $95.00 |
| Total Pre-Tax Deductions | $220.00 |
Pay Summary
Year-to-Date
$26104.00
$4927.00
$2305.00
$18872.00
This paystub complies with California Labor Code Section 226(a) requirements.
Why Use This California Pay Stub Template
Every line is editable, from the employer header to the YTD column.
Drag & Drop Builder
All 9 required itemized fields from Cal. Labor Code §226 included and easy to arrange.
Real-time Preview
Verify your California-compliant stub looks right before printing.
Multiple Export Formats
Export as PNG, PDF, or JPEG, keep compliant records on file.
Custom Styling
Customize the look while keeping all mandatory California fields in place.
Automatic Calculations
Hours x rate fills each earnings line, and the 2026 tax helper estimates federal, FICA, and California income tax plus CA SDI at the 2026 rate of 1.3%. Enter daily overtime as its own line.
Professional Layout
Structured to meet California's strict itemization requirements, the toughest in the country.
California Pay Stub Example
A complete california pay stub built with this template: pay period, earnings, tax withholding, deductions, and net pay as they appear in the download. Replace the sample data with your own.
Pacific Coast Marketing Group
2700 Mission Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94110
EIN: 94-8765432
Phone: (415) 555-0374
Employee Information
Emily R. Vasquez
550 Valencia Street, Apt 6, San Francisco, CA 94110
SSN: ***-**-2256
Employee ID: EMP-1489
Pay Period
10/08/2026
10/21/2026
10/26/2026
Bi-Weekly
Earnings
| Description | Hours | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Pay | 80.00 | $28.00 | $2240.00 |
| Overtime Pay | 6.00 | $42.00 | $252.00 |
| Total Earnings | $2492.00 | ||
Tax Withholdings
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | $188.79 |
| CA PIT (State Income Tax) | $67.01 |
| CA SDI (1.3%) | $31.16 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $148.61 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $34.76 |
| Total Tax Withholdings | $470.33 |
Pre-Tax Deductions
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| 401(k) Contribution | $125.00 |
| Health Insurance | $95.00 |
| Total Pre-Tax Deductions | $220.00 |
Pay Summary
Year-to-Date
$26104.00
$4927.00
$2305.00
$18872.00
This paystub complies with California Labor Code Section 226(a) requirements.
How to Make a California Pay Stub
No account needed to start.
Load the layout
One click opens this layout in the builder, ready to edit.
Fill in each section
Earnings total as you type (hours x rate), and the tax helper estimates federal, FICA, and state withholding.
Export your stub
Save it as a print-ready PDF or an image file.
What's on a California Pay Stub
Know what every line means before you fill it in.
- Legal name and address of employer
- California Labor Code 226(a) requires the legal entity name and address, not just a trade name.
- Employee name and ID
- Name plus the last four digits of the SSN or an employee ID number. Printing the full SSN is not allowed.
- Pay period dates
- The inclusive start and end dates of the period being paid.
- Hours and every rate
- Total hours worked for non-exempt employees, and each hourly rate in effect with the hours at that rate, including overtime and double time.
- Gross and net wages
- Gross wages earned and net wages after all deductions, each shown separately.
- Taxes and SDI
- Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, California income tax, and CA SDI at 1.3% with no wage cap in 2026.
- Sick leave balance
- Available paid sick leave, shown on the stub or on a separate written notice each payday.
Related: California paycheck calculator · What SDI is · Pay stub requirements by state
California Payroll at a Glance
The California rules that shape this pay stub, checked October 3, 2026.
State income tax
Graduated, 1% to 12.3%, plus a 1% Mental Health Services Tax on income over $1 million (13.3% top rate)
Other state deductions
- CA SDI: State Disability Insurance (includes Paid Family Leave), 1.3% employee rate
Pay stub law
California requires an itemized wage statement with every paycheck, on paper or electronically if employees can access and print it. Missing items carry penalties of $50 to $100 per employee per pay period, up to $4,000.
Minimum wage and paydays
$16.90 an hour since January 1, 2026. At least twice a month on designated paydays for most employees; exempt salaried employees may be paid monthly (Labor Code § 204).
Example: a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks in California is $2,307.69 gross and about $1,838.71 take-home, including $69.36 of state income tax (single filer, 2026).
California paycheck calculatorWhere a California Pay Stub Comes In
From small employers to the self-employed.
California Employers
Produce paystubs that satisfy California Labor Code 226(a) itemization requirements.
Compliance & Audit Readiness
Maintain compliant records to protect against PAGA claims and labor board audits.
Los Angeles & Bay Area Businesses
Handle local ordinance requirements for employers in major California metro areas.
Multi-State Companies
Generate California-specific stubs for employees in your CA office locations.
CA Rental & Lease Applications
Provide California-compliant income proof to landlords in competitive housing markets.
Legal & HR Documentation
Keep detailed wage records that stand up to scrutiny in employment disputes.
Common Questions, Answered
CA SDI stands for California State Disability Insurance. It is a mandatory payroll tax that funds short-term disability benefits for workers who cannot work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. The Employment Development Department (EDD) sets the rate each year; for 2026 it is 1.3% of all wages, with no cap.
Under California Labor Code Section 226(e), employees can recover up to $4,000 in penalties for knowing and intentional paystub violations. Additionally, PAGA claims allow employees to sue on behalf of the state, which can multiply penalties significantly for employers with multiple employees.
Yes. California requires overtime pay after 8 hours in a single workday (daily overtime) in addition to the federal rule of overtime after 40 hours in a workweek. Double-time pay is required after 12 hours in a day. Our California template supports both regular and overtime earnings lines.
A California paystub is an earnings statement that meets the strict requirements of California Labor Code Section 226(a), which mandates that employers provide itemized wage statements with every paycheck. In addition to standard federal withholdings, California paystubs include state-specific deductions such as CA PIT (Personal Income Tax) and CA SDI (State Disability Insurance). California has some of the most detailed paystub requirements in the country, making compliance essential for every employer operating in the state.
California law requires employers to furnish detailed, itemized paystubs that include gross wages, total hours worked, all deductions, net wages, the pay period, and employer identifying information. Missing or inaccurate items can cost $50 to $100 per employee per pay period, up to $4,000 per employee, under Labor Code 226(e), and PAGA claims can add more. Using a California-specific template ensures you include every required field and avoid costly legal exposure.
Gross and net wages for the pay period • Total hours worked (required for non-exempt employees) • CA PIT (Personal Income Tax) withholding • CA SDI (State Disability Insurance) deduction • Federal income tax and FICA withholdings • Employer legal name and address
California overtime kicks in after 8 hours in a single day, not just 40 hours per week. • Include CA SDI on every California paystub: 1.3% of all wages in 2026, with no wage cap. • Retain paystubs for at least three years as required by California recordkeeping laws. • Include the last four digits of the SSN or a full employee ID number on every stub.
Yes! Our pay stub generator is completely free to use. You can create, customize, and export pay stubs without any cost. Pro features like watermark-free exports are available with an optional upgrade.
Our tool generates professional-looking pay stubs that can be used for personal record-keeping, proof of income for rental applications, loan applications, and similar purposes. However, pay stubs should accurately reflect actual wages paid. Falsifying pay stub information is illegal.
Related Templates
Different pay frequencies, states, and formats.
Build Your California Pay Stub in Minutes
Start with our free template and have your professional pay stub ready in minutes.