- The San Mateo minimum wage is $18.60 an hour, effective .
- That is $1.70 above the California state rate of $16.90 and $11.35 above the federal $7.25.
- The next change is : an indexed adjustment, amount to be announced.
- Coverage: Anyone who performs two hours or more of work per week within the geographic boundaries of San Mateo, including employees under 18.
Rates and tiers
| Tier | Rate | Since |
|---|---|---|
| all employers | $18.60 |
Indexing
Yes
CPI (metro not specified on page) adjusts January 1 (annual) announced City of San Mateo cap 3.5% per year with catch-up provision
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)
Scheduled increases
January 1, 20271 jurisdiction
CityTBA
San Mateo (city), CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI adjustment capped at 3.5% with catch-up provision
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
Official page: 'As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in the City of San Mateo will be $18.60 per hour for all employers.' Matches Berkeley inventory.
Common questions
What is the San Mateo minimum wage?
$18.60 an hour for all employers, effective January 1, 2026.
Is the San Mateo minimum wage higher than the California state minimum wage?
Yes, by $1.70: $18.60 versus $16.90.
When does the San Mateo minimum wage change next?
On January 1, 2027, by an indexed amount to be announced.
Sources
- https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/minimumwage
- https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/
Checked 2026-09-02; researcher confidence 0.97.