State Law Briefing.

Minimum Wage/California/Emeryville

Emeryville Minimum Wage 2026

The Emeryville rate, tipped rules, and how it compares with the California state minimum. Every figure below is checked against primary sources.

$20.34/ hourEmeryville minimum wageCPI adjustment effective July 1, 2026

In effect since July 1, 2026·Verified August 18, 2026 against 2 primary sources

Tipped minimumNo tip credit in California; tipped employees receive the full $20.34 / hour
California state minimum$16.90 / hour

Against the state minimum

Hourly minimums compared

California state$16.90
Emeryville$20.34

Hourly minimum wage as verified August 18, 2026. Bars start at $0.

Nearby rates and notes

Among the California cities we track, Emeryville's is the highest general city minimum, ahead of West Hollywood ($20.25) and San Francisco ($19.61).

Rate record

What has taken effect, what we have checked, and what is coming next.

July 1, 2026

Emeryville minimum in effect: $20.34 / hour (CPI adjustment effective July 1, 2026)

August 18, 2026

Every figure on this page re-verified against the primary sources below.Latest check

Jul 1, 2027

Next CPI adjustment takes effect (Emeryville adjusts each July 1).

Questions employers ask

What is the minimum wage in Emeryville in 2026?

$20.34 per hour as of July 1, 2026 (the annual CPI adjustment). That is $3.44 above the California state minimum of $16.90.

Do tipped employees in Emeryville get a lower wage?

No. California allows no tip credit, so tipped employees must receive the full $20.34 per hour before tips.

Is Emeryville's minimum wage the highest in California?

It is among the highest city minimums in the country. Among the California cities we track it is the highest general rate, ahead of West Hollywood ($20.25) and San Francisco ($19.61).

When does Emeryville's minimum wage change next?

Emeryville adjusts its rate each July 1 based on CPI. The next adjustment takes effect July 1, 2027.

Sources and caveats

City of Emeryville: Minimum Wage Ordinanceemeryville.org · verified August 18, 2026
California DIR: Minimum Wagedir.ca.gov · verified August 18, 2026

Caveat: Emeryville's site blocks automated re-checking, so this rate is confirmed by manual pulls of the city's page (most recently August 18, 2026, from the escalation table showing $20.34 effective July 1, 2026 for all businesses). The city adjusts its rate each July 1. Note: Emeryville's separate Living Wage Ordinance ($19.50 as of July 1, 2026) applies only to city contractors and employees; it is a different law than the citywide minimum wage and the two are often confused.

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