Current Minimum Wage
Cupertino$18.70since January 1, 2026

City · California

Cupertino minimum wage

$18.70 an hour as of September 2, 2026. The California state rate is $16.90.

  • The Cupertino minimum wage is $18.70 an hour, effective .
  • That is $1.80 above the California state rate of $16.90 and $11.45 above the federal $7.25.
  • The next change is : an indexed adjustment, amount to be announced.
  • Coverage: Employees working within Cupertino city limits under CMC Chapter 3.37 (hours-per-week threshold not stated on the fetched page).

Rates and tiers

TierRateSince
all employers$18.70

Indexing

Yes
regional CPI (not specified on page) adjusts January 1 (annual) announced City of Cupertino (official notices posted)

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

Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 3.37 (Ordinance No. 2151)
Ordinance text · City of Cupertino, Economic Development Division

Scheduled increases

January 1, 20271 jurisdiction
CityTBA
Cupertino, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each January 1 under CMC 3.37
TBAindexed, amount to be announced

Official page: 'The Cupertino Minimum Wage will increase from $18.20 to $18.70 per hour effective January 1, 2026.' Matches Berkeley inventory.

Common questions

What is the Cupertino minimum wage?

$18.70 an hour for all employers, effective January 1, 2026.

Is the Cupertino minimum wage higher than the California state minimum wage?

Yes, by $1.80: $18.70 versus $16.90.

When does the Cupertino minimum wage change next?

On January 1, 2027, by an indexed amount to be announced.

Sources

  1. https://www.cupertino.gov/Your-City/Divisions/Economic-Development/Cupertino-Minimum-Wage official
  2. https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/

Checked 2026-09-02; researcher confidence 0.95.