Estimated Weekly PFL Benefit — Software Engineer · 2026
$1,765/week
Based on $140,000/year · 8-week total: $14,120 (capped at 2026 maximum)
How This Was Calculated
For a Software Engineer earning $140,000/year, EDD calculates your PFL benefit using the highest-quarter method:
1
Highest Quarter Earnings$140,000 ÷ 4 = $35,000 · Quarterly bonuses may make one quarter much higher — use that quarter for best results.
2
Average Weekly Wage (AWW)$35,000 ÷ 13 weeks = $2,692/week
3
Apply Rate: 70%$2,692 × 70% = $1,765/week (capped at 2026 maximum)
4
Multiply by Weeks$1,765 × 8 weeks = $14,120 total
Benefit by Number of Weeks
| Leave Duration | Weekly Benefit | Total Benefit |
|---|
| 1 week | $1,765/wk | $1,765 |
| 2 weeks | $1,765/wk | $3,362 |
| 4 weeks | $1,765/wk | $6,724 |
| 6 weeks | $1,765/wk | $10,086 |
| 8 weeks | $1,765/wk | $14,120 |
PFL Rules That Apply to Software Engineers
Software Engineers working in California who pay into SDI through paycheck withholding qualify for PFL when bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member. Your SDI deductions appear on your pay stub as "CASDI."
⚠️File within 41 days of your first day of leaveMissing this deadline forfeits your PFL benefits permanently. File at edd.ca.gov on day one of leave.
ℹ️Job protection for Software EngineersPFL pays your income but doesn't protect your job alone. Most California Software Engineers at employers with 5+ workers also qualify for CFRA leave, which runs concurrently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much PFL does a Software Engineer get in California 2026? +
A Software Engineer earning $140,000/year receives an estimated $1,765/week. Over the maximum 8-week period, that totals $14,120. Actual benefits depend on your specific quarterly wages reported to EDD.
Does a Software Engineer's bonus or overtime affect PFL? +
Yes. If overtime or bonus pay was reported on your W-2 and boosted one quarter above your average, EDD will use that higher quarter — potentially increasing your benefit. Always use your actual highest quarter when estimating.
Can I take PFL intermittently as a Software Engineer? +
Yes. PFL can be taken in separate blocks — for example, a few days per week for bonding — subject to your employer's approval and EDD's intermittent claim procedures. Your total cannot exceed 8 weeks per 12-month period.
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