California Wage Statement Explorer

When you pay your employees, California law requires that you provide them with accurate, itemized statements in writing that contain certain specified information. Wage statements can be provided either as a detachable part of the employee’s paycheck – also known as a paystub – or in a separate written document.

• California law is very specific about the information that must be included in wage statements. If you do not comply, you can be liable for penalties and other damages – even for only minor, technical violations.

California Labor Code section 226 requires nine categories of information to be included on your wage statements. California’s paid sick leave law also requires specific information. And if you have piece rate employees, even more rules apply. California Wage Statement Explorer includes all of this required information, although the piece rate information will not apply to many employers.

California Wage Statement Explorer is a tool that you can use to help determine what information must be on your wage statements.

For more information on wage statement requirements, see Form of Wage Payment.

• This tool reflects information that employers are legally required to include in wage statements, and does not include additional information that employers may choose to include.

Note: All numbers used in California Wage Statement Explorer are for illustrative purposes only. Select the different sections to see specific details.