PFML status
Active PFML program
California Paid Family Leave (via SDI)
2026Active PFML programCalifornia Paid Leave
$1,765/week · 8 family weeks · 1.3% employee premium· Paid sick leave mandate.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
California paid leave snapshot
Employee-funded SDI/PFL with up to 8 weeks of family leave and a high weekly maximum. Weekly-max rank #1 (#1 = highest among all jurisdictions); family-weeks rank #13.
Max weekly
$1,765
Min $50
Family weeks
8
Benefit year
Employee premium
1.3%
Employee-funded
Paid sick leave
Paid sick leave
Statewide paid sick leave accrual for most employees (local ordinances m…
Compare California with another state
Compare any two states
PFML weekly max, weeks, premiums, and paid sick leave mandates.
California PFML program details
- Program
- California Paid Family Leave (via SDI)
- Wage replacement
- 8%
- Medical weeks
- See disability / separate track
- Combined weeks max
- 8
- Premium payer
- Employee-funded
- Benefits timing
- Long-running program; PFL benefits currently available.
- Wage base / premium note
- SDI/PFL employee contribution; wage cap removed beginning 2024.
Own serious health conditions are generally covered under SDI disability, not the 8-week PFL allotment.
Example employee PFML premium
On $80,000 annual wages, a 1.3% employee rate models about $1,040 per year before wage-base caps and employer-size exemptions. SDI/PFL employee contribution; wage cap removed beginning 2024.
Key takeaways — California paid leave
- California PFML status: Active PFML program (California Paid Family Leave (via SDI)).
- Modeled weekly maximum $1,765 with about 8 family/bonding weeks.
- Employee premium ~1.3% (~$1,040/year on $80,000 before wage-base caps).
- Paid sick leave mandate. Statewide paid sick leave accrual for most employees (local ordinances may be more generous).
- Ranks #1 on weekly max and #13 on family weeks among 51 jurisdictions (#1 = highest).
- Long-running program; PFL benefits currently available.
California vs neighboring states
PFML status, weekly maxima, family weeks, and sick-leave mandates for states that share a border with California.
Arizona
NevadaCalifornia PFML at the weekly maximum
Illustrative totals if every week paid the modeled maximum. Most claimants receive less; waiting periods and offsets can reduce cash paid.
4 weeks at weekly max
$7,060
$1,765 × 4 wks
8 weeks at weekly max
$14,120
$1,765 × 8 wks
8 weeks at weekly max
$14,120
$1,765 × 8 wks
How to read this page
California paid leave overview (2026)
Employee-funded SDI/PFL with up to 8 weeks of family leave and a high weekly maximum.
Workers meeting California program rules can claim partial wage replacement up to about $1,765 per week for qualifying family leave (roughly 8% replacement before caps). Own serious health conditions are generally covered under SDI disability, not the 8-week PFL allotment.
Paid sick leave is tracked separately: Statewide paid sick leave accrual for most employees (local ordinances may be more generous).
Premiums and benefits in California
Modeled payroll shares: employee 1.3%, employer 0%. SDI/PFL employee contribution; wage cap removed beginning 2024.
At the weekly maximum for 8 weeks, a full family-leave claim could approach $14,120 before taxes and offsets—only if you qualify for the maximum for every week.
Job protection is not guaranteed by a cash benefit alone. Confirm whether FMLA, a state family-leave statute, or PFML restoration rules apply to your employer size and tenure.
Planning leave while working in California
Map the reason for leave (bonding, family care, own serious health condition, safe leave) to the right program—PFML, disability, sick leave, or unpaid FMLA.
Ask payroll whether PFML premiums already appear on your pay stub and whether the employer uses a private plan.
If you live near a border, compare California with Oregon, Arizona, Nevada—PFML and sick-leave rules can change by work location.
Who this California paid leave page helps
Useful if…
- •Employees in California estimating bonding or caregiving wage replacement.
- •Managers budgeting backfill while someone is on PFML or sick leave.
- •Candidates weighing a California offer against a neighboring state’s leave laws.
- •Workers checking whether a sick-leave mandate applies even without PFML.
Use official tools if…
- •You need an approved claim, private-plan exemption, or exact waiting period.
- •Your hours or employer size fall below statutory thresholds.
- •A city ordinance (not just statewide rules) governs your worksite.
- •You are self-employed and need opt-in PFML rules rather than employee coverage.
California paid leave checklist
Quick steps before treating rankings as a claim or relocation decision.
- 1Confirm California PFML status (Active PFML program) and benefit start timing.
- 2Estimate weekly pay using ~8% replacement capped at $1,765.
- 3Review sick/any-reason leave accrual: Paid sick leave mandate.
- 4Check pay stubs for PFML/SDI-style deductions and annual wage-base caps.
- 5Document FMLA eligibility separately if you need job protection.
- 6Compare California with a peer state before relocating for leave benefits alone.
Related states for paid leave
Rhode IslandActive PFML program · $1,103/wk · 8 wks
Compare California vs Rhode Island →
WashingtonActive PFML program · $1,647/wk · 12 wks
Compare California vs Washington →
OregonActive PFML program · $1,636/wk · 12 wks
Compare California vs Oregon →
MinnesotaActive PFML program · $1,423/wk · 12 wks
Compare California vs Minnesota →California paid leave FAQs
Active PFML program. Program: California Paid Family Leave (via SDI). Long-running program; PFL benefits currently available.
This guide models $1,765/week (minimum $50 where published) at roughly 8% wage replacement before caps.
About 8 family/bonding weeks in a benefit year.
About 1.3% of covered wages ($1,040/year on a $80,000 example before wage-base caps). SDI/PFL employee contribution; wage cap removed beginning 2024.
Paid sick leave mandate. Statewide paid sick leave accrual for most employees (local ordinances may be more generous).
No. FMLA is unpaid. California PFML benefits may replace a portion of wages during qualifying leave when you meet program rules.
Weekly-max rank #1 and family-weeks rank #13 in this 51-jurisdiction table (#1 = highest weeks/benefit). Employee-premium rank #13 (#1 = lower employee rate among programs).
Use the state labor/PFML agency for claims, premiums, and notices. This page is an educational comparison using 2026 chart values updated 2026-07-31.
At the modeled weekly maximum, 8 weeks would total about $14,120 before taxes and offsets. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
Usually only for short absences tied to illness, appointments, or safe leave—not full bonding leave. Statewide paid sick leave accrual for most employees (local ordinances may be more generous). Use PFML (where active) or unpaid FMLA for multi-week bonding.
Nearby combined snapshots: Oregon (Active PFML program, $1,636/wk); Arizona (No statewide PFML); Nevada (No statewide PFML). Open a compare page for side-by-side premiums and weeks.
Often yes under FMLA or state restoration rules if you remain eligible, but you may still owe your share of premiums. PFML cash benefits do not automatically equal benefit continuation—confirm with HR.
Not legal advice. Agency rules control claims, premiums, and job protection.