- The Pasadena minimum wage is $18.57 an hour, effective .
- That is $1.67 above the California state rate of $16.90 and $11.32 above the federal $7.25.
- The next change is : an indexed adjustment, amount to be announced.
- Coverage: Adult and minor employees who perform at least two hours of work per week within the geographic boundaries of Pasadena.
Rates and tiers
| Tier | Rate | Since |
|---|---|---|
| all employers | $18.57 |
Indexing
Yes
CPI (index/metro not stated in fetched material) adjusts July 1 (annual) announced City of Pasadena (official notice each July 1)
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
Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 5.02 (Minimum Wage Ordinance, adopted March 14, 2016)
Scheduled increases
July 1, 20271 jurisdiction
CityTBA
Pasadena, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each July 1 under PMC 5.02
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
Official notice PDF: '$18.57 Per Hour, Effective Date: July 1, 2026'. Matches Berkeley inventory.
Common questions
What is the Pasadena minimum wage?
$18.57 an hour for all employers, effective July 1, 2026.
Is the Pasadena minimum wage higher than the California state minimum wage?
Yes, by $1.67: $18.57 versus $16.90.
When does the Pasadena minimum wage change next?
On July 1, 2027, by an indexed amount to be announced.
Sources
- https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/code-compliance/minimum-wage-ordinance/
- https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/OFFICIAL-NOTICE-EFFECTIVE-JULY-1-2026-ENGLISH.pdf
- https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/
Checked 2026-09-02; researcher confidence 0.95.