Pay stub generator
California Pay Stub Generator
Create professional pay stubs for California in minutes. Federal and California state income taxes are calculated automatically from the latest tax tables, so every stub stays accurate. No sign-up required — just fill, preview, and download.
California pay rules at a glance
- Pay stub required in California?
- Required — must be printable
- State income tax
- Yes — withheld on every California stub
- Local income tax
- None
- How often you must pay
- At least twice a month, on paydays designated in advance
- Final paycheck due
- Immediately on discharge; within 72 hours if quitting without notice
The rules
Pay stub requirements in California
California requires employers to give employees an itemized statement of earnings for every pay period, and the statement must be one the employee can both access and print. An electronic stub is fine on its own terms, but only if the employee can produce a paper copy from it without asking for help.
California expects employees to be paid at least twice a month, on paydays designated in advance, so the pay period shown on the stub should match that cadence. When someone leaves, final wages are due immediately on discharge; within 72 hours if quitting without notice — which is why a final stub often has to be produced at short notice.
Deductions
What comes out of a California paycheck
Every stub carries federal income tax withholding, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax. California also has its own employee-paid payroll deductions: California State Disability Insurance (CA SDI). Anything you add yourself — health insurance, retirement contributions, garnishments — appears as its own itemized line.
California State Disability Insurance (CA SDI)
How it works
How to Make a California Pay Stub
Three quick steps — that’s all it takes.
Enter employer & employee details
Set pay period, salary & deductions
Preview, pay & download your PDF
Why OakPaystubs
Why OakPaystubs for California?
Built for California small businesses, freelancers, and contractors.
Ready in Minutes
Fill in a simple form and get a professional pay stub instantly — no accounting knowledge needed.
Accurate Tax Calculations
Federal and state taxes are computed automatically using the latest IRS and state tax tables.
Professional PDF Download
Download a clean, print-ready PDF that looks just like a real payroll-issued pay stub.
Secure & Private
Your data is encrypted in transit and we never store sensitive information like full SSNs.
Questions
California Pay Stub FAQs
Common questions about creating California pay stubs.
Does California require employers to provide a pay stub?
California requires employers to give employees an itemized statement of earnings for every pay period, and the statement must be one the employee can both access and print. An electronic stub is fine on its own terms, but only if the employee can produce a paper copy from it without asking for help.
What deductions appear on a California pay stub?
Every stub carries federal income tax withholding, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax. California also has its own employee-paid payroll deductions: California State Disability Insurance (CA SDI). Anything you add yourself — health insurance, retirement contributions, garnishments — appears as its own itemized line.
Does California have a state income tax on wages?
Yes. California levies a state income tax, and OakPaystubs applies the correct California withholding on each pay stub alongside federal taxes.
How often do employees have to be paid in California?
California expects employees to be paid at least twice a month, on paydays designated in advance, so the pay period shown on the stub should match that cadence. When someone leaves, final wages are due immediately on discharge; within 72 hours if quitting without notice — which is why a final stub often has to be produced at short notice.
How do I create a pay stub in California?
Enter your employer and employee details, set the pay period and earnings, then preview and download a print-ready PDF. OakPaystubs automatically calculates federal & California state taxes.
How much does a California pay stub cost?
You can build and preview a California pay stub for free with unlimited revisions, and pay only a small per-stub fee when you download the final PDF — no subscriptions or hidden charges.
Generate Your California Pay Stub Now
No subscriptions, no hidden fees. Pay only when you download.
Create Pay StubNeed a different state? Browse all 50 states & D.C.