Current Minimum Wage
Redwood City$18.65since January 1, 2026

City · California

Redwood City minimum wage

$18.65 an hour as of September 2, 2026. The California state rate is $16.90.

  • The Redwood City minimum wage is $18.65 an hour, effective .
  • That is $1.75 above the California state rate of $16.90 and $11.40 above the federal $7.25.
  • The next change is : an indexed adjustment, amount to be announced.
  • Coverage: Employees working in Redwood City (page does not state an hours threshold).

Rates and tiers

TierRateSince
all employers$18.65

Indexing

Yes
CPI (August to August; metro not specified on page) adjusts January 1 (annual) announced City of Redwood City

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

Redwood City local minimum wage ordinance
Ordinance text · City of Redwood City, City Manager's Office

Scheduled increases

January 1, 20271 jurisdiction
CityTBA
Redwood City, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI August-to-August; a decrease in CPI does not reduce the wage
TBAindexed, amount to be announced

Official page: 'As of January 1, 2026, it is $18.65.' Matches Berkeley inventory.

Common questions

What is the Redwood City minimum wage?

$18.65 an hour for all employers, effective January 1, 2026.

Is the Redwood City minimum wage higher than the California state minimum wage?

Yes, by $1.75: $18.65 versus $16.90.

When does the Redwood City minimum wage change next?

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

Sources

  1. https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/city-manager/city-manager-s-initiatives/local-minimum-wage
  2. https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/

Checked 2026-09-02; researcher confidence 0.95.