- The Foster City minimum wage is $17.85 an hour, effective .
- That is $0.95 above the California state rate of $16.90 and $10.60 above the federal $7.25.
- The next change is : an indexed adjustment, amount to be announced.
- Coverage: Employers subject to the Foster City 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 Foster City.
Rates and tiers
| Tier | Rate | Since |
|---|---|---|
| all employers | $17.85 |
Indexing
Yes
Regional CPI (metro not specified on page) adjusts January 1 (annual) announced City of Foster City cap 3.0% per year
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
City of Foster City Minimum Wage Ordinance
Scheduled increases
January 1, 20271 jurisdiction
CityTBA
Foster City, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Regional CPI increase, not to exceed 3.0%
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
Official page: 'Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for the City of Foster City is $17.85 per hour for all employees.' Matches Berkeley inventory.
Common questions
What is the Foster City minimum wage?
$17.85 an hour for all employers, effective January 1, 2026.
Is the Foster City minimum wage higher than the California state minimum wage?
Yes, by $0.95: $17.85 versus $16.90.
When does the Foster City minimum wage change next?
On January 1, 2027, by an indexed amount to be announced.
Sources
- https://www.fostercity.org/288/City-of-Foster-City-Minimum-Wage-Ordinan
- https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/
Checked 2026-09-02; researcher confidence 0.95.