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In California, temporary disability benefits generally pay two-thirds of the wages an injured worker loses while unable to work, subject to minimum and maximum weekly rates. For injuries occurring in 2026, the minimum temporary total disability rate is $264.61 per week and the maximum is $1,764.11 per week. The amount you may receive depends on your pre-injury earnings, the type of disability benefit, and how your earnings are calculated under California workers’ compensation law.
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Danielle Langella is an Associate Attorney at Abramson Labor Group, where she helps California employees stand up for their rights at work. Before joining ALG, Danielle worked at Good American as a Marketing Coordinator and Assistant to the Brand Director,…
How Much Does Workers’ Comp Pay Per Week?
For many injured workers, the primary wage-replacement benefit is temporary total disability, or TTD. TTD benefits are generally paid when a work-related injury prevents you from doing your usual job while you recover.
Temporary disability generally pays two-thirds of the gross wages you lose while recovering, subject to minimum and maximum rates set by law. For injuries occurring in 2026, the minimum TTD rate is $264.61 per week and the maximum is $1,764.11 per week.
Temporary disability benefits replace only a portion of your lost wages rather than your full paycheck. These benefits are generally not subject to federal, state, or local income tax. For a full overview of the system, see our California workers’ compensation page.
How Your Weekly Amount Is Calculated
Temporary disability benefits are generally based on your average weekly earnings. When calculating your benefits, the claims administrator may consider different forms of compensation you received from work, not just your regular hourly wage or salary.
Earnings that may be considered include:
- Regular hourly or salaried pay
- Overtime
- Bonuses and commissions
- Tips
- Earnings from a second job you held at the time of injury
Passive income, such as rental income, interest, or investment dividends, is generally not counted, because it continues whether or not you can work.
As a general rule, temporary total disability benefits are calculated at two-thirds of your average weekly earnings, subject to the minimum and maximum rates that apply based on your date of injury.
Example. If your average weekly earnings were $900, two-thirds would be $600, so your TTD benefit would generally be $600 per week. If your average weekly earnings were $3,000, two-thirds would be $2,000, but for a 2026 injury the maximum TTD rate would limit the benefit to $1,764.11 per week.
2026 Temporary Disability Rates
California’s minimum and maximum temporary disability rates are adjusted based on changes in the State Average Weekly Wage.
| Rate | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum weekly TTD | $252.03 | $264.61 |
| Maximum weekly TTD | $1,680.29 | $1,764.11 |
For injuries occurring in 2026, the applicable minimum and maximum TTD rates are generally $264.61 and $1,764.11 per week. Your actual weekly benefit depends on your earnings and the rules applicable to your claim.
How Long Do Payments Last?
For most injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2008, temporary disability benefits are limited to 104 weeks of payments within five years from the date of injury.
Temporary disability benefits may end earlier if you return to work, your doctor releases you to return to work, or your condition improves as much as it is expected to. This is often referred to as reaching maximum medical improvement or becoming permanent and stationary.
Certain serious injuries and illnesses are subject to different rules and may qualify for up to 240 weeks of temporary disability benefits within a five-year period.
State Disability Insurance (SDI) through the Employment Development Department is a separate benefit program that may also be available in some circumstances. See our article on getting workers comp and disability at the same time. Eligibility and coordination between SDI and workers’ compensation depend on the circumstances of the claim.
Permanent Disability and Other Benefits
If your work-related injury or illness results in a lasting disability, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits.
Permanent disability benefits are calculated differently from temporary disability benefits. The amount depends on factors including your disability rating, date of injury, earnings, age, and occupation. For 2026 injuries involving permanent partial disability, the minimum weekly rate is $160 and the maximum weekly rate is $290.
A worker who is found to have a 100% permanent total disability is subject to different rules and may receive benefits for life.
Other workers’ compensation benefits may also be available depending on the circumstances, including:
- Medical treatment reasonably required to treat or relieve the effects of the work-related injury or illness
- Supplemental job displacement benefits for eligible workers who cannot return to their previous employment
- Death benefits for eligible dependents when a worker dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness
What Can Affect Your Benefit Amount
Temporary disability calculations can be complicated, and several factors can affect the amount you receive. For example:
- Your average weekly earnings may not include all applicable income, such as overtime, tips, bonuses, commissions, or earnings from another job you held at the time of your injury.
- Your earnings may have changed or fluctuated before your injury, making the calculation more complicated.
- Your benefits may have been delayed, changed, or stopped during your claim.
The claims administrator is required to provide information explaining how temporary disability payments were determined and why payments are delayed, changed, or ended.
If you have questions about how your temporary disability benefits were calculated or believe applicable earnings were not considered, you can request an explanation of the calculation.
Abramson Labor Group helps injured California workers check that their benefits are correctly calculated and paid, and disputes denied, delayed, or underpaid claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does workers’ comp pay per week in California?
Temporary disability benefits generally pay two-thirds of the gross wages you lose while recovering from a work-related injury, subject to minimum and maximum rates. For injuries occurring in 2026, the minimum TTD rate is $264.61 and the maximum is $1,764.11 per week.
Is workers’ comp based on gross or net pay?
Temporary disability benefits are generally calculated using gross, pre-tax earnings rather than take-home pay. The calculation may include other forms of income from work, such as overtime, bonuses, commissions, tips, and earnings from other jobs held at the time of injury.
Does workers’ comp pay my full salary?
Temporary disability benefits generally replace only a portion of the wages you lose while recovering from a work-related injury. They typically pay two-thirds of lost gross wages, subject to minimum and maximum benefit rates.
How long can I receive temporary disability?
For most injuries, temporary disability benefits are limited to 104 weeks within five years from the date of injury. Benefits may end earlier if you return to work, your doctor releases you to return to work, or your condition improves as much as it is expected to. Different limits may apply to certain serious injuries and illnesses.
What if my weekly check seems too low?
Your temporary disability payment may be affected by how your earnings were calculated. Overtime, tips, bonuses, commissions, and earnings from other jobs held at the time of injury may be relevant to the calculation. If you have questions about your benefit amount, you can ask the claims administrator for an explanation of how your temporary disability rate was calculated.
Talk to a California Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you are unsure whether your benefits are calculated correctly, or your payments were delayed, reduced, or denied, Abramson Labor Group can help you understand your rights under California law.
Call (213) 493-6300, request your free case evaluation, or contact us in English or Spanish. Our case reviews are free and confidential, and we work on contingency.
Last updated: September 2026
This article provides general information about California workers’ compensation benefit amounts and is not legal advice. Benefit calculations depend on your specific facts, and rates change each year. Confirm your situation with a qualified attorney.