Laborer and Freight salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A laborer and freight in California earns a median of $44,710 a year ($21.50/hour equivalent), 11.1% above the national median of $40,240. California ranks #8 of 51 states. About 355,500 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $36,752 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,414 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,719.62
- Federal income tax
- −$122.51
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$106.62
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$24.93
- California income tax
- −$29.66
- CA SDI
- −$22.36
- Take-home pay
- $1,413.54
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $44,710
- Federal
- $3,185
- FICA
- $3,420
- State + local
- $1,352
- Net
- $36,752
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Minnesota | $46,280 |
| #2 | Washington | $46,190 |
| #3 | District of Columbia | $45,740 |
| #4 | North Dakota | $45,690 |
| #5 | Colorado | $45,370 |
| #8 | California | $44,710 |
| #49 | Mississippi | $36,400 |
| #50 | Arkansas | $35,920 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $35,340 |
See the national laborer and freight salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (SOC 53-7062), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a laborer and freight make in California?
The median salary is $44,710 a year and the average is $45,590 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for laborers and freight?
California ranks #8 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 11% above the national median of $40,240.
What is $44,710 after taxes in California?
About $36,752 a year ($1,414 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.