- The Berkeley minimum wage is $19.61 an hour, effective .
- That is $2.71 above the California state rate of $16.90 and $12.36 above the federal $7.25.
- The next change is : an indexed adjustment, amount to be announced.
- Coverage: All employees who work at least two hours per week within the geographic limits of Berkeley, regardless of employer location; for-profit and non-profit employers.
Rates and tiers
| Tier | Rate | Since |
|---|---|---|
| all employers | $19.61 |
Indexing
Yes
CPI (index/metro not stated on page; BMC 13.99 governs) adjusts July 1 (annual) announced City of Berkeley (poster published ~April)
Tipped
Same as minimum
no tip credit under California law (confirmed: DIR FAQ states an employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage)
Ordinance
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 13.99 (Minimum Wage Ordinance)
Scheduled increases
July 1, 20271 jurisdiction
CityTBA
Berkeley, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each July 1 under BMC 13.99
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
Official page: '$19.61/hour: Effective July 1, 2026' (prior $19.18 from 7/1/2025). Matches Berkeley inventory. Berkeley also has a separate Living Wage Ordinance for city contractors ($20.01 + $3.32 benefits or $23.33, FY2026-27) which is not a minimum wage.
Common questions
What is the Berkeley minimum wage?
$19.61 an hour for all employers, effective July 1, 2026.
Is the Berkeley minimum wage higher than the California state minimum wage?
Yes, by $2.71: $19.61 versus $16.90.
When does the Berkeley minimum wage change next?
On July 1, 2027, by an indexed amount to be announced.
Sources
- https://berkeleyca.gov/doing-business/operating-berkeley/employer-requirements/workforce-standards-and-enforcement official
- https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/
- https://berkeley.municipal.codes/BMC/13.99
Checked 2026-09-02; researcher confidence 0.95.