- The California minimum wage is $16.90 an hour, set by state law effective .
- The next change is on : an indexed adjustment, amount to be announced.
- Tipped employees must be paid at least $16.90 in cash and there is no tip credit.
- At $16.90 an hour, full-time work (2,080 hours) pays $35,152 a year before taxes.
- 47 local rates in California are higher than the state rate; the highest is $25.00 for Los Angeles: hotel workers.
Tipped cash wage
$16.90
No tip credit allowed
Youth / training
None
Learners of any age with no previous similar experience may be paid not less than 85% of the minimum wage, rounded to the nearest nickel, for their first 160 hours of employment; no age-based youth...
Next change
Indexed, TBA
· indexed-unannounced
Local rates
47 in effect
Cities and counties may set higher minimum wages; roughly three dozen California local ordinances exist.
Local minimum wages in California
Where a city or county rate is higher, it governs inside that jurisdiction.
Los Angeles: hotel workers$25.00since July 1, 2026Santa Monica: hotel workers$25.00since July 1, 2026Anaheim: resort workers$21.13since January 1, 2026West Hollywood: hotel workers$20.87since July 1, 2026Emeryville$20.34since July 1, 2026West Hollywood$20.25since January 1, 2026Mountain View$19.70since January 1, 2026Berkeley$19.61since July 1, 2026San Francisco$19.61since July 1, 2026Sunnyvale$19.50since January 1, 2026Richmond$19.18since January 1, 2026San Diego: hotel workers$19.00since July 1, 2026Belmont$18.95since January 1, 2026Oakland: hotel workers$18.85since January 1, 2026El Cerrito$18.82since January 1, 2026Cupertino$18.70since January 1, 2026Los Altos$18.70since January 1, 2026Palo Alto$18.70since January 1, 2026Santa Clara$18.70since January 1, 2026Redwood City$18.65since January 1, 2026San Mateo$18.60since January 1, 2026Pasadena$18.57since July 1, 2026Milpitas$18.50since July 1, 2026Los Angeles County$18.47since July 1, 2026Santa Monica$18.47since July 1, 2026Sonoma$18.47since January 1, 2026San Jose$18.45since January 1, 2026Los Angeles$18.42since July 1, 2026Petaluma$18.31since January 1, 2026Santa Rosa$18.21since January 1, 2026South San Francisco$18.15since January 1, 2026Fremont$18.05since July 1, 2026San Mateo County$17.95since January 1, 2026Half Moon Bay$17.91since January 1, 2026Malibu$17.91since July 1, 2026East Palo Alto$17.90since January 1, 2026Burlingame$17.86since January 1, 2026Foster City$17.85since January 1, 2026Hayward$17.79since January 1, 2026Alameda$17.76since July 1, 2026San Carlos$17.75since January 1, 2026San Diego$17.75since January 1, 2026Novato$17.73since January 1, 2026Menlo Park$17.55since January 1, 2026Daly City$17.50since January 1, 2026Oakland$17.34since January 1, 2026San Leandro$16.90since January 1, 2026
Scheduled increases in California
January 1, 202732 jurisdictions
StateTBA
Californiaindexed-unannounced · Director of Finance calculates the adjusted rate by August 1 (lesser of 3.5% or CPI-W change), effective January 1. The 2027 figure was not found on...
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
SectorTBA
Anaheim - Measure L (Anaheim Resort subsidized employers), CAcovered resort employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted annually with inflation (CPI through September 30 of the prior year) per the city flyer
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Belmont, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Lesser of 3.5% or prior-year regional CPI increase, with catch-up provision; rounded to nearest $0.05
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Burlingame, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · January 1, 2027: $17.86 plus 2026 CPI'; a negative CPI will not lower the wage
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Cupertino, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each January 1 under CMC 3.37
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Daly City, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted annually January 1 based on the Regional CPI
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
East Palo Alto, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted annually January 1 based on the Regional CPI
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
El Cerrito, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · August-to-August CPI change (SF-Oakland-Hayward), percentage rounded down to two decimals, wage rounded down to the cent
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Foster City, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Regional CPI increase, not to exceed 3.0%
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Half Moon Bay, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted by regional CPI-U each January 1
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Hayward, CAlarge employers (26 or more employees) · indexed-unannounced · CPI SF-Oakland-Hayward, max 5%; bulletin by October 1
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Los Altos, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted by Bay Area CPI each January 1 per Ordinance 2016-424
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Menlo Park, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI SF area, August to August, capped at 3%; notice by December 1
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Mountain View, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Regional CPI adjustment each January 1; rate calculated in the fall
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Novato, CAbusinesses with 26+ employees · indexed-unannounced · CPI-W SF-Oakland-Hayward or 3.5%, whichever is less
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Oakland, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each January 1 under Measure FF
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
SectorTBA
Oakland - Hotel Worker Minimum Wage (Measure Z), CAhotel workers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each January 1 under Measure Z
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Palo Alto, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Regional CPI adjustment each January
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Petaluma, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted by the June prior-year Bay Area CPI-W
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
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
CityTBA
Richmond, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment under Ordinance 15-17 N.S.
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
San Carlos, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Previous year x (1 + August CPI-U increase), max 3.5%, no rounding; employers notified by November 1
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
San Diego, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each January 1 under SDMC Ch. 3 Art. 9
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
San Jose, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each January 1
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
San Mateo (city), CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI adjustment capped at 3.5% with catch-up provision
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CountyTBA
San Mateo County (unincorporated), CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual adjustment each January 1 (bulletin with calculation posted by county)
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Santa Clara, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Prior-year CPI (SF-Oakland-San Jose); calculated rate typically available mid-September
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Santa Rosa, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · June-to-June CPI-W percentage applied to prior rate; published by October 31
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Sonoma (city), CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI increase each January, maximum 3.5%
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
South San Francisco, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each January 1 under SSFMC 8.71
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Sunnyvale, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual regional CPI adjustment
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
West Hollywood, CAall non-hotel employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI-W LA-Long Beach-Anaheim; increase no less than 1.0% and no more than 4.0%
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
July 1, 202716 jurisdictions
Sector$25.50
Los Angeles (city) - Citywide Hotel Worker Minimum Wage, CAhotel workers (cash wage) · ordinance · Per Ord. 188944 (effective 6/29/2026) chart; health benefit $6.00/hr
$25.50from $25.00 (+$0.50)
Sector$22.00
San Diego - Hospitality Minimum Wage, CAevent centers · ordinance
$22.00from $21.06 (+$0.94)
Sector$20.50
San Diego - Hospitality Minimum Wage, CAhotels and amusement parks · ordinance
$20.50from $19.00 (+$1.50)
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)
CityTBA
Alameda, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted Annually by the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W)' July 1, 2027
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Berkeley, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each July 1 under BMC 13.99
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Emeryville, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each July 1 under the Emeryville Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Fremont, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · 2027: 2026 wage plus inflation adjustment'; bulletin published by April 1
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Los Angeles (city), CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI-W LA metro; new rate announced February 1, effective July 1
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CountyTBA
Los Angeles County (unincorporated), CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CEO determines increase from prior November CPI-W (LA metro)
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Malibu, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI-W LA-Long Beach-Anaheim, November-to-November
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Milpitas, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Bay Area CPI adjustment each July 1
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Pasadena, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Annual CPI adjustment each July 1 under PMC 5.02
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
San Francisco, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted each July 1 by the annual CPI increase
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
CityTBA
Santa Monica, CAall employers · indexed-unannounced · CPI-W LA metro; aligned with LA County unincorporated rate
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
SectorTBA
West Hollywood - Hotel Employee Minimum Wage, CAhotel employees · indexed-unannounced · CPI-W LA-Long Beach-Anaheim each July 1 (floor 1.0%, cap 4.0%)
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
July 1, 20283 jurisdictions
Sector$28.50
Los Angeles (city) - Citywide Hotel Worker Minimum Wage, CAhotel workers (cash wage) · ordinance · Health benefit rate from 7/1/2028 tied to airport (LAAC 10.37.3(a)) rate, pending calculation
$28.50from $25.50 (+$3.00)
Sector$23.00
San Diego - Hospitality Minimum Wage, CAevent centers · ordinance
$23.00from $22.00 (+$1.00)
Sector$22.00
San Diego - Hospitality Minimum Wage, CAhotels and amusement parks · ordinance
$22.00from $20.50 (+$1.50)
July 1, 20292 jurisdictions
Sector$24.00
San Diego - Hospitality Minimum Wage, CAevent centers · ordinance
$24.00from $23.00 (+$1.00)
Sector$23.50
San Diego - Hospitality Minimum Wage, CAhotels and amusement parks · ordinance
$23.50from $22.00 (+$1.50)
July 1, 20301 jurisdiction
Sector$25.00
San Diego - Hospitality Minimum Wage, CAall covered hospitality employers · ordinance
$25.00from $19.00 (+$6.00)
July 1, 20311 jurisdiction
SectorTBA
San Diego - Hospitality Minimum Wage, CAall covered hospitality employers · indexed-unannounced · Adjusted annually based on the prior year's increase in the cost of living (CPI) from July 1, 2031
TBAindexed, amount to be announced
Rate tiers
| Tier | Rate | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| fast food restaurant employees (AB 1228) | $20.00 | $20.00 per hour since 2024-04-01 for covered national fast food chain employees; the Fast Food Council may raise it annually by the lesser of 3.5% or CPI. |
| health care workers, large systems/dialysis clinics/large counties (SB 525) | $25.00 | $25.00 from 2026-07-01 through 2027-12-31 for covered facilities in the large-system, dialysis-clinic and 5M+ population county categories. |
| health care workers, other covered facilities and medium counties | $23.00 | $23.00 from 2026-07-01 through 2028-06-30. |
| health care workers, community/rural/urgent care clinics | $22.00 | $22.00 from 2026-07-01 through 2027-06-30. |
| health care workers, safety-net hospitals and small counties | $19.28 | $19.28 from 2026-07-01 through 2027-06-30. |
Coverage, exemptions, and history
Who is covered. all employers regardless of size.
Tipped employees. No tip credit: an employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage.
Indexing. Adjusted by CPI-W, U.S. city average (12 months ending June 30 vs prior 12 months) on January 1 ; announced Director of Finance by August 1 ; cap: max 3.5%.
Recent history. Indexed increase from $16.50 (2025) to $16.90 on 2026-01-01; employer-size tiers ended 2023-01-01.
Learner rate computed would be about $14.35-$14.40 (85% of $16.90 rounded to nearest nickel is exactly $14.365, so rounding direction not stated); left null.
Statute. Cal.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in California?
$16.90 an hour as of September 2, 2026, under state law effective January 1, 2026.
When does the California minimum wage go up next?
On January 1, 2027, by an indexed amount the agency will announce.
What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
$16.90 in cash, with no tip credit allowed.
Do any cities in California have a higher minimum wage?
Yes: Los Angeles: hotel workers $25.00, Santa Monica: hotel workers $25.00, Anaheim: resort workers $21.13, West Hollywood: hotel workers $20.87, Emeryville $20.34.
Sources
- https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/minimum_wage.htm official
- https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_minimumwage.htm official
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state official
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=1182.12 official
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped official
- https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/
Checked 2026-09-02 against California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement...; researcher confidence 0.85.