Current Minimum Wage
Santa Monica: hotel workers$25.00since July 1, 2026↑ $25.50 on July 1, 2027

Sector ordinance · California

Santa Monica hotel worker minimum wage

$25.00 an hour as of September 2, 2026, rising to $25.50 on July 1, 2027. The California state rate is $16.90.

  • The Santa Monica hotel worker minimum wage is $25.00 an hour (hotels and businesses operating on hotel property), effective .
  • That is $8.10 above the California state rate of $16.90 and $17.75 above the federal $7.25.
  • The next change is : $25.50.
  • Coverage: Hotel workers at all hotels in Santa Monica and businesses operating on hotel property; Santa Monica does not impose a health benefit requirement.

Rates and tiers

TierRateSince
hotels and businesses operating on hotel property$25.00

Indexing

Yes
pegged to City of Los Angeles hotel worker minimum wage (LAMC 186.02(A)(1)) adjusts July 1 announced City of Santa Monica

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

Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 4.63 (Hotel Worker Living Wage), Section 4.63.015(b)(2)
Ordinance text · City of Santa Monica

Scheduled increases

July 1, 20271 jurisdiction
Sector$25.50
Santa Monica - Hotel Worker Living Wage, CAhotels · ordinance · SMMC 4.63.015(b)(2) matches the City of LA hotel rate (LAMC 186.02(A)(1)); LA chart shows $25.50 from 7/1/2027
$25.50from $25.00 (+$0.50)

Official page: hotel minimum wage '$22.50 effective September 8, 2025 and will increase to $25.00 per hour effective July 1, 2026'; rate table row 2026 All Hotels $25.00.

Common questions

What is the Santa Monica hotel worker minimum wage?

$25.00 an hour for hotels and businesses operating on hotel property, effective July 1, 2026.

Is the Santa Monica hotel worker minimum wage higher than the California state minimum wage?

Yes, by $8.10: $25.00 versus $16.90.

When does the Santa Monica hotel worker minimum wage change next?

On July 1, 2027, to $25.50.

Sources

  1. https://www.santamonica.gov/minimum-wage official
  2. https://wagesla.lacity.gov/hotel-worker-ordinances official
  3. https://wagesla.lacity.gov/sites/g/files/wph1941/files/2026-06/2026%20CHMWO%20Wage%20Chart%20wHB%20Rev05-27-26.pdf official

Checked 2026-09-02; researcher confidence 0.92.