Question 1

What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?

Accepted Answer

California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026. Applies to all employers regardless of size. Fast food and covered health care workers have higher statewide minimums, and learners may be paid 85% of the minimum for their first 160 hours of work.

Question 2

Is the California minimum wage going up in 2027?

Accepted Answer

California's minimum wage rises to $17.40 an hour on January 1, 2027. The Department of Finance certified the increase on July 31, 2026 after the CPI-W rose 2.99%. The minimum salary for exempt employees rises to $72,384.

Question 3

What is the tipped minimum wage in California?

Accepted Answer

California does not allow a tip credit: tipped employees must be paid the full $16.90 an hour before tips. Tipped workers get the full state minimum wage, or the higher local rate, before tips.

Question 4

What if my city's minimum wage is higher than the California rate?

Accepted Answer

You get the highest rate that applies to your job. 8 local rates on this page are above the statewide floor; the highest is Emeryville at $20.34 an hour. Local rates usually depend on where the work is performed, not where the employer is based. About 40 California cities and counties set rates above the state floor; the table lists the highest rates and the largest cities.

Question 5

Who is exempt from the California minimum wage?

Accepted Answer

Exemptions follow state law and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Salaried executive, administrative and professional employees who meet the salary and duties tests, outside sales employees and some seasonal or small-business jobs can be exempt, and independent contractors are not covered at all. California also sets these special rates: fast food restaurant employees ($20.00); health care: large systems, dialysis clinics and large-county facilities ($25.00); health care: other covered facilities ($23.00); health care: community and rural clinics ($22.00); health care: safety-net hospitals and small-county facilities ($19.28). Check the state labor agency source linked below before you rely on an exemption.

Question 6

How much is the California minimum wage per year?

Accepted Answer

At $16.90 an hour, a full-time job of 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours) pays $35,152 a year before taxes, or about $2,929 a month. Use the calculator above to change the hours, weeks and overtime.

Question 7

Does California require daily overtime?

Accepted Answer

Yes. California requires time and a half after 8 hours in a day, after 40 hours in a week and for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day, and double time after 12 hours in a day or 8 hours on the seventh day.

Jurisdiction	2026 rate	Since	Notes
Emeryville	$20.34	July 1, 2026	Adjusted each July 1 for inflation.
West Hollywood	$20.25	January 1, 2026	Hotel workers $20.87. Rises to $20.94 on January 1, 2027.
Mountain View	$19.70	January 1, 2026	Adjusted each January 1 for inflation.
San Francisco	$19.61	July 1, 2026	Adjusted each July 1 for inflation.
San Jose	$18.45	January 1, 2026	Rises to $19.00 on January 1, 2027.
Los Angeles	$18.42	July 1, 2026	Adjusted each July 1; hotel workers have a higher citywide rate.
San Diego	$17.75	January 1, 2026	Rises to $18.35 on January 1, 2027.
Oakland	$17.34	January 1, 2026	Hotel workers $18.85 with health benefits or $25.14 without.

Effective	Hourly rate
January 1, 2026 (current)	$16.90
January 1, 2025	$16.50
January 1, 2024	$16.00
January 1, 2023	$15.50

California Minimum Wage 2026

California Minimum Wage at a Glance

Local Minimum Wages in California

Tipped Minimum Wage in California

Other California Minimum Wage Rates

Overtime Rules in California

California Minimum Wage History

California Minimum Wage in 2027

California Minimum Wage FAQ

More Pay Tools for California

Minimum Wage in Other States

Official References

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