Rates verified and last updated on July 23, 2026
California's statewide minimum wage is $16.90 per hour as of January 1, 2026, and no tip credit is allowed — tipped workers earn the full minimum plus tips. Dozens of cities and counties set higher local rates, many of which stepped up again on July 1, 2026 (Emeryville is highest at $20.34), and separate higher minimums cover fast food and many healthcare workers. The state rate adjusts each January 1 based on inflation.
| Minimum wage | $16.90/hour (effective January 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage | No tip credit — tipped employees receive the full minimum wage |
| Overtime | 1.5x after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week; 2x after 12 hrs/day |
| Next scheduled increase | None currently scheduled |
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Weekly gross
$676.00
Monthly gross
$2,929.33
Annual gross
$35,152.00
Overtime is calculated at 1.5x the hourly rate. 1.5x after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week; 2x after 12 hrs/day. Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
| Year | Minimum wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $13.00/hour | Employers with 26+ employees; $12.00 for 25 or fewer |
| 2021 | $14.00/hour | 26+ employees; $13.00 for smaller employers |
| 2022 | $15.00/hour | 26+ employees; $14.00 for smaller employers |
| 2023 | $15.50/hour | Single rate for all employer sizes began |
| 2024 | $16.00/hour | — |
| 2025 | $16.50/hour | — |
| 2026 | $16.90/hour | — |
Several local jurisdictions in California set minimum wages above the statewide rate. Employers must pay the highest rate that applies to the work location.
| Jurisdiction | Minimum wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emeryville | $20.34/hour | Effective Jul 1, 2026; highest general city rate in California |
| West Hollywood | $20.25/hour | Effective Jan 1, 2026; hotel workers $20.87 as of Jul 1, 2026 |
| Berkeley | $19.61/hour | Effective Jul 1, 2026 |
| San Francisco | $19.61/hour | Effective Jul 1, 2026 |
| Pasadena | $18.57/hour | Effective Jul 1, 2026 |
| Milpitas | $18.50/hour | Effective Jul 1, 2026 |
| Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas) | $18.47/hour | Effective Jul 1, 2026 |
| San Jose | $18.45/hour | Effective Jan 1, 2026 |
| Los Angeles (city) | $18.42/hour | Effective Jul 1, 2026; hotel and LAX airport workers $25.00 |
| Fremont | $18.05/hour | Effective Jul 1, 2026 |
California has the strictest overtime rules in the country: 1.5x pay after 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, and for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive workday. Double time (2x) applies after 12 hours in a day and after 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day. Overtime is computed on the regular rate of pay, which includes most bonuses and incentive pay.
California's exempt salary threshold is twice the state minimum wage for full-time work: $70,304 per year ($5,858.67 per month) in 2026 — far above the federal $684 per week. California also applies its own stricter duties tests, and higher minimums apply to some fast food and healthcare workers.
The enforced FLSA exempt salary threshold is $684 per week ($35,568 per year). The 2024 DOL rule that briefly raised it to $1,128 per week was vacated by federal courts in Texas in late 2024, and the DOL formally withdrew the rule on May 14, 2026, restoring the 2019 level.
California's statewide minimum wage is $16.90 per hour as of January 1, 2026, for employers of all sizes. Many cities are higher — for example Los Angeles at $18.42, San Francisco and Berkeley at $19.61, and Emeryville at $20.34 after the July 1, 2026 local increases.
No. California prohibits tip credits entirely, so tipped employees must receive the full applicable minimum wage — state or local, whichever is higher — before tips. Tips are always in addition to wages.
California requires 1.5x pay after 8 hours in a day or 40 in a week, and for the first 8 hours on a seventh consecutive workday. Double time applies after 12 hours in a day or after 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day. This daily-overtime rule is stricter than the federal weekly-only standard.
In 2026, exempt executive, administrative, and professional employees must earn at least $70,304 per year ($5,858.67 per month) — twice the state minimum wage for full-time work — and spend more than half their time on exempt duties. This is far higher than the federal $35,568 threshold.
The state rate adjusts every January 1 for inflation (capped at 3.5%); the Department of Finance certifies the following year's rate by August 1 each year. Local rates in cities like LA and San Francisco typically adjust every July 1. The statewide 2027 amount had not been finalized as of late July 2026.
Fast food workers at chains with 60 or more national locations must be paid at least $20.00 per hour under AB 1228, effective April 1, 2024, with a Fast Food Council able to approve further increases. Separate, higher minimums also phase in for many healthcare facility workers.
This page is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Wage and hour law changes frequently and can vary by city, county, industry, and employer size. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant government agency or a qualified employment attorney before making payroll decisions.
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