# Raise after taxes calculator (2026)

A 3% raise is 3% of gross, not 3% of take-home. This page holds California, single, and compares $80,000 with $82,400 (a 3% bump) so you can see how much of the extra $2,400 survives federal, FICA, California tax, and SDI.

On this sample the extra annual net is about $1,434.00 — not 3% of the old net ($1,825.79). The new dollars are taxed at the marginal federal slice after the $16,100 standard deduction, plus 7.65% FICA under the $184,500 wage base, plus California’s applicable band and 1.3% SDI.

That is why a raise “feels smaller” than the offer-letter percent. A traditional 401(k) percent on the new wage changes the federal and state lines again; it still stays in FICA. Switch the widget from $80,000 to $82,400 to watch the live net.

Not a COLA or union-scale engine. Reviewed October 2, 2026.

## Sample estimates

### $80k CA single (before 3% raise)

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $3,210.42
- Net / take-home: $60,859.58 (effective tax 23.9%)
- Per paycheck net: $60,859.58 (1 periods)

### $82,400 CA single (3% raise)

- Gross: $82,400.00
- Federal income tax: $9,298.00
- Social Security: $5,108.80
- Medicare: $1,194.80
- State income tax: $3,433.62
- Net / take-home: $62,293.58 (effective tax 24.4%)
- Per paycheck net: $62,293.58 (1 periods)

Label: engine estimates, not pay stubs.

## FAQ

### Is a 3% raise 3% more take-home?

No. Three percent applies to gross. Extra take-home is whatever is left after marginal federal, FICA, and (here) California tax plus SDI. The table shows both wages.

### What sample is compared?

$80,000 vs $82,400, California, single, no 401(k), tax year 2026.

### What about a larger raise?

Type the new salary in the calculator. The same marginal-bracket idea applies; we do not add a second raise field.

## Related

- [How much is $80k after taxes](https://takehomecash.com/how-much-is-80k-after-taxes/index.md)
- [$80,000 salary take-home](https://takehomecash.com/80000-salary-take-home-pay/index.md)
- [Compare job offers](https://takehomecash.com/compare-job-offers/index.md)