- The East Palo Alto minimum wage is $17.90 an hour, effective .
- That is $1.00 above the California state rate of $16.90 and $10.65 above the federal $7.25.
- The next change is : an indexed adjustment, amount to be announced.
- Coverage: Employers subject to the East Palo Alto business license tax or maintaining a facility in the city must pay each adult or minor employee who performs at least two hours of work per week in East Palo Alto.
Rates and tiers
| Tier | Rate | Since |
|---|---|---|
| all employers | $17.90 |
Indexing
Yes
Regional CPI (metro not specified on page) adjusts January 1 (annual) announced City of East Palo Alto...
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
East Palo Alto Minimum Wage Ordinance (effective January 1, 2021)
Scheduled increases
January 1, 20271 jurisdiction
CityTBA
East Palo Alto, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted annually January 1 based on the Regional CPI
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
Official page: 'On January 1, 2026, the adjusted Local Minimum Wage will increase to $17.90 per hour for all employers.' Matches Berkeley inventory.
Common questions
What is the East Palo Alto minimum wage?
$17.90 an hour for all employers, effective January 1, 2026.
Is the East Palo Alto minimum wage higher than the California state minimum wage?
Yes, by $1.00: $17.90 versus $16.90.
When does the East Palo Alto minimum wage change next?
On January 1, 2027, by an indexed amount to be announced.
Sources
- https://www.ci.east-palo-alto.ca.us/econdev/page/local-minimum-wage official
- https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/
Checked 2026-09-02; researcher confidence 0.95.