California minimum wage
Minimum wage in California, in effect since January 1, 2026
$16.90 an hour
That is $9.65 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in California pay the higher state rate.
The rate differs by employer; see the table below.
Next increase: $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
Rates by employer
| Employer or category | Hourly minimum | Tipped cash wage |
|---|---|---|
| Fast food restaurant employees covered by AB 1228 Effective April 1, 2024. | $20.00 | $20.00 |
Tipped employees
California doesn't allow a tip credit. Tipped employees must get the full $16.90 an hour from the employer, and tips are on top.
Youth and training wages
Learners of any age may be paid at least 85% of the minimum wage (rounded to the nearest nickel) during their first 160 hours in an occupation where they have no similar or related experience.
Scheduled increases
| Effective date | Standard rate | Tipped cash wage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 (current) | $16.90 | $16.90 | In effect |
| January 1, 2027 | $17.40 | $17.40 | Announced DIR news release 2026-66, August 13, 2026. |
How future increases are set
Adjusted every January 1 for inflation based on the national Consumer Price Index.
Exceptions and details
- Employers may not use tips as a credit toward the minimum wage.
- Covered health care facility workers have separate, higher minimum wages under SB 525 (see DIR's Health Care Worker Minimum Wage FAQ).
- Many cities and counties set higher local minimum wages.
Cities and counties with a higher minimum wage
These places in California set their own minimum wage. Employers there pay the local rate.
| Place | Minimum wage | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda | $17.76 | — |
| Belmont | $18.95 | — |
| Berkeley | $19.61 | — |
| Burlingame | $17.86 | $18.47 on January 1, 2027 |
| Cupertino | $18.70 | — |
| Daly City | $17.50 | — |
| East Palo Alto | $17.90 | — |
| El Cerrito | $18.82 | — |
| Emeryville | $20.34 | — |
| Foster City | $17.85 | — |
| Fremont | $18.05 | — |
| Half Moon Bay | $17.91 | $18.51 on January 1, 2027 |
| Hayward | $17.79 | $18.39 on January 1, 2027 |
| Los Altos | $18.70 | — |
| Los Angeles | $18.42 | — |
| Los Angeles County (unincorporated) | $18.47 | — |
| Malibu | $17.91 | — |
| Menlo Park | $17.55 | — |
| Milpitas | $18.50 | — |
| Mountain View | $19.70 | — |
| Novato | $17.46 | $17.97 on January 1, 2027 |
| Oakland | $17.34 | — |
| Palo Alto | $18.70 | $19.25 on January 1, 2027 |
| Pasadena | $18.57 | — |
| Petaluma | $18.31 | $18.93 on January 1, 2027 |
| Richmond | $19.18 | — |
| San Carlos | $17.75 | — |
| San Diego | $17.75 | $18.35 on January 1, 2027 |
| San Francisco | $19.61 | — |
| San Jose | $18.45 | — |
| San Mateo | $18.60 | $19.25 on January 1, 2027 |
| San Mateo County (unincorporated) | $17.95 | $18.58 on January 1, 2027 |
| Santa Clara | $18.70 | $19.25 on January 1, 2027 |
| Santa Monica | $18.47 | — |
| Santa Rosa | $18.21 | — |
| Sonoma | $18.47 | — |
| South San Francisco | $18.15 | — |
| Sunnyvale | $19.50 | — |
| West Hollywood | $20.25 | $20.94 on January 1, 2027 |
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in California?
- $16.90 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
- California doesn't allow a tip credit, so tipped employees get the full $16.90 an hour before tips.
- When does the California minimum wage go up?
- It rises to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
- Do any cities or counties in California have a higher minimum wage?
- Yes: Alameda ($17.76), Belmont ($18.95), Berkeley ($19.61), Burlingame ($17.86), Cupertino ($18.70), Daly City ($17.50), East Palo Alto ($17.90), El Cerrito ($18.82), Emeryville ($20.34), Foster City ($17.85), Fremont ($18.05), Half Moon Bay ($17.91), Hayward ($17.79), Los Altos ($18.70), Los Angeles ($18.42), Los Angeles County (unincorporated) ($18.47), Malibu ($17.91), Menlo Park ($17.55), Milpitas ($18.50), Mountain View ($19.70), Novato ($17.46), Oakland ($17.34), Palo Alto ($18.70), Pasadena ($18.57), Petaluma ($18.31), Richmond ($19.18), San Carlos ($17.75), San Diego ($17.75), San Francisco ($19.61), San Jose ($18.45), San Mateo ($18.60), San Mateo County (unincorporated) ($17.95), Santa Clara ($18.70), Santa Monica ($18.47), Santa Rosa ($18.21), Sonoma ($18.47), South San Francisco ($18.15), Sunnyvale ($19.50), West Hollywood ($20.25).
Running payroll in California?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.