What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?

$16.90 per hour statewide, for all employers regardless of size, effective January 1, 2026. Many California cities set higher local rates, so the rate where the work is performed controls.

Do tipped employees in California get a lower minimum wage?

No. California allows no tip credit — tipped employees must receive the full $16.90 per hour before tips.

Which California cities have a higher minimum wage than the state?

As of July 1, 2026: San Francisco $19.61, City of Los Angeles $18.42, unincorporated LA County $18.47, Santa Monica $18.47, Emeryville $20.34, and West Hollywood $20.25, among others. Always check the specific city or county.

What is the California health care worker minimum wage after July 2026?

It is sector-specific under SB 525, not one rate: $19.28 to $25.00 per hour depending on facility type as of July 1, 2026 — separate from the $16.90 general state rate. The fast-food sector minimum remains $20.00.

Did the $25 Los Angeles hotel worker minimum wage take effect?

Yes. Covered Los Angeles hotel workers and LAX airport workers must receive $25.00 per hour as of July 1, 2026. Later scheduled increases toward $30 were delayed to 2030 by a May 2026 amendment.

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California Minimum Wage (2026)

Effective January 1, 2026 · verified as of July 5, 2026

State minimum wage: $16.90 / hour
Tipped minimum: No tip credit — tipped employees receive the full $16.90 / hour
Exempt salary threshold: $70,304 / year (2× state minimum). Computer software professionals: $122,573.13 / year

Local rates & notes

San Francisco: $19.61 / hour (CPI adjustment effective July 1, 2026)
City of Los Angeles: $18.42 / hour (effective July 1, 2026)
Unincorporated LA County: $18.47 / hour (effective July 1, 2026 — single rate; the former small-employer tier is eliminated)
Santa Monica: $18.47 / hour; hotel workers $25.00 / hour (effective July 1, 2026)
LA citywide hotel workers & LAX airport workers: $25.00 / hour (effective July 1, 2026 — the 2025 referendum suspension was lifted; later escalators toward $30 were pushed from 2028 to 2030)
Emeryville: $20.34 / hour (CPI adjustment effective July 1, 2026)
West Hollywood: $20.25 / hour non-hotel (adjusts January 1); hotel workers $20.87 / hour (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)
Statewide sector minimums: fast food $20.00 / hour (unchanged); health-care worker minimums (SB 525) rose July 1, 2026 to $19.28–$25.00 / hour depending on facility type
Many other California cities set higher local minimums (e.g., San Diego, Berkeley, Pasadena). Always check the city/county rate.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?: $16.90 per hour statewide, for all employers regardless of size, effective January 1, 2026. Many California cities set higher local rates, so the rate where the work is performed controls.
Do tipped employees in California get a lower minimum wage?: No. California allows no tip credit — tipped employees must receive the full $16.90 per hour before tips.
Which California cities have a higher minimum wage than the state?: As of July 1, 2026: San Francisco $19.61, City of Los Angeles $18.42, unincorporated LA County $18.47, Santa Monica $18.47, Emeryville $20.34, and West Hollywood $20.25, among others. Always check the specific city or county.
What is the California health care worker minimum wage after July 2026?: It is sector-specific under SB 525, not one rate: $19.28 to $25.00 per hour depending on facility type as of July 1, 2026 — separate from the $16.90 general state rate. The fast-food sector minimum remains $20.00.
Did the $25 Los Angeles hotel worker minimum wage take effect?: Yes. Covered Los Angeles hotel workers and LAX airport workers must receive $25.00 per hour as of July 1, 2026. Later scheduled increases toward $30 were delayed to 2030 by a May 2026 amendment.

Source: CA DIR (dir.ca.gov/dlse/minimum_wage.htm); SF OLSE, LA Office of Wage Standards (wagesla.lacity.gov 2026 increase memo), LA County DCBA, Santa Monica & Emeryville city pages. State rate + July-1 local rates re-verified 2026-07-02. West Hollywood manually verified against weho.org 2026-07-05.

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