California Minimum Wage 2026
California has some of the highest minimum wages in the United States — and the rate you're entitled to depends on your industry, employer size, and city. Use the compliance checker below to find your rate, then read the full breakdown of California's 2026 minimum wage rules.
On this page: Compliance checker · 2026 rates by industry · City & county rates · California overtime rules · Tipped workers · If you're underpaid · FAQ
Related calculators: Minimum Wage Underpayment Calculator · California Overtime Calculator · Meal Break Penalty Calculator
California Minimum Wage Compliance Checker
Enter your details below. The checker will tell you whether your pay meets California's 2026 minimum wage for your industry, estimate any shortfall, and show your weekly pay breakdown.
California Minimum Wage Rates 2026 by Industry
California sets different minimum wages for specific industries through sector-specific legislation. The rate that applies to you depends on your employer and job type — not just the general state rate:
| Worker category | 2026 rate | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (most workers) | $16.50/hr | Applies to all non-exempt employees not covered by a higher sector rate |
| Fast food workers | $20.00/hr | AB 1228: applies to limited-service restaurant chains with 60+ locations nationwide. Rate adjustable annually up to 3.5% or CPI, whichever is lower |
| Healthcare workers | $21.00/hr+ | SB 525: phased increases by facility type. Large hospitals: $23/hr. Dialysis clinics and other covered facilities: $21/hr. Reaches $25/hr for most covered workers by 2028 |
| Tipped workers | $16.50/hr minimum | No tip credit in California — employers must pay full minimum wage regardless of tips earned |
| Learner/student workers | $16.50/hr | California does not allow a sub-minimum learner wage — all workers receive the full minimum |
| Workers with disabilities | $16.50/hr | California phased out sub-minimum wages for workers with disabilities — all covered workers receive the full minimum wage |
Rates shown are for 2026. The standard rate adjusts annually based on the California Consumer Price Index. Always verify the current rate at the California Department of Industrial Relations website before relying on these figures.
California City & County Minimum Wages 2026
Many California cities and counties set minimum wages above the state rate. If you work in one of these jurisdictions, the higher local rate applies — not the state rate. Your employer must pay whichever is higher.
| City / County | 2026 rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $18.67/hr | Adjusts annually each July 1 based on CPI |
| Berkeley | $18.67/hr | Adjusts annually each October 1 |
| San Jose | $17.55/hr | Adjusts annually each January 1 |
| Los Angeles (city) | $17.28/hr | Separate higher rate applies to hotel workers |
| Los Angeles County (unincorporated) | $17.27/hr | Applies to unincorporated county areas only |
| Pasadena | $17.50/hr | Adjusts annually |
| Santa Monica | $17.27/hr | Higher rate for hotel workers |
| Emeryville | $19.36/hr | One of the highest city minimums in California |
| West Hollywood | $19.08/hr | Adjusts annually |
| Alameda | $17.00/hr | Adjusts annually each July 1 |
This table reflects approximate 2026 rates — local rates change annually and some adjust mid-year. Verify your city's current rate at your local city or county government website. If you're unsure whether your workplace is in an incorporated city or unincorporated county area, the county rate applies to unincorporated locations.
California Overtime Rules: Daily AND Weekly Thresholds
California's overtime rules are significantly stronger than the federal FLSA standard. Most states only require overtime after 40 hours in a week — California requires overtime after 8 hours in a single workday, regardless of weekly total.
| Situation | Rate |
|---|---|
| Hours 1–8 in a workday | Regular rate (1×) |
| Hours 8–12 in a workday | Time-and-a-half (1.5×) |
| Hours beyond 12 in a workday | Double time (2×) |
| Hours 1–8 on the 7th consecutive day of a workweek | Time-and-a-half (1.5×) |
| Hours beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive day | Double time (2×) |
| Hours beyond 40 in a workweek (not already counted above) | Time-and-a-half (1.5×) |
This means a 10-hour shift in California generates 2 hours of daily overtime at 1.5×, even if your weekly total is well under 40 hours. Many California workers are owed overtime they never received because employers only track weekly hours.
To estimate unpaid California overtime, use the Overtime Pay Calculator — set the standard hours threshold to 8 (daily) rather than 40 to capture California daily overtime. For back pay across multiple periods, use the Back Pay Calculator.
California Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers
California is one of a small number of states — including Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and Alaska — that does not allow a tip credit. This means:
- Your employer must pay you the full California minimum wage ($16.50/hr standard, or your applicable industry rate) in wages — tips are separate and additional
- Tips belong entirely to the worker — employers cannot use tips to offset the minimum wage obligation
- Mandatory tip pooling is allowed, but only among employees who customarily receive tips — managers and supervisors cannot participate in tip pools
- If your tips plus wages average below the California minimum wage for any hour, your employer must make up the difference
A server in California earning $16.50/hr in wages who receives $8/hr in tips earns $24.50/hr total. Compare this to a federal-minimum-wage state where the server might receive just $2.13/hr in wages relying on tips to reach $7.25/hr.
If your employer is applying a tip credit against your California wages — or if you work in a shared tip pool that includes managers — that is a wage violation. Estimate the impact with the Minimum Wage Underpayment Calculator.
Paid Below California Minimum Wage? What You Can Recover
If you're being paid below the applicable California minimum wage, the recovery options are among the strongest in the United States:
- Back wages: Up to 3 years of underpayment under the California Labor Code (longer than the federal 2-year FLSA period)
- Interest: Interest on unpaid wages from the date they were due
- PAGA penalties: Under the Private Attorneys General Act, workers can recover $100 per employee per pay period for initial violations and $200 for subsequent violations — these penalties can be substantial for long-running violations affecting multiple workers
- Attorney's fees: California Labor Code § 1194 allows prevailing employees to recover attorney's fees, making it practical to hire an attorney on contingency even for smaller claims
- Waiting time penalties: If minimum wage violations caused your final paycheck to be wrong, California imposes waiting-time penalties of one day's wages for each day of delay, up to 30 days
How to file: Workers can file a Wage Claim with the California Labor Commissioner's Office (Borreau of Field Enforcement) at no cost. The Labor Commissioner investigates and can recover wages, interest, and penalties without you needing to hire an attorney. For larger claims or PAGA class actions, an employment attorney may recover significantly more.
Use the Minimum Wage Underpayment Calculator to estimate your back wages before filing. For claims spanning multiple pay periods, the Back Pay Calculator helps total the amount across time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
The standard California minimum wage is $16.50 per hour in 2026, applying to most employees. Fast food workers at chains with 60+ locations are entitled to $20/hr under AB 1228. Healthcare workers at covered facilities are entitled to $21/hr or more under SB 525. Many cities set higher local minimums — San Francisco ($18.67/hr), Emeryville ($19.36/hr), and West Hollywood ($19.08/hr) are among the highest.
Does California have daily overtime?
Yes. California requires overtime after 8 hours in a single workday — not just after 40 hours in a week like federal law. Time-and-a-half applies for hours 8–12 in a day; double time applies after 12 hours. On the 7th consecutive day of a workweek, time-and-a-half applies for the first 8 hours and double time after that. See the overtime table above for the full breakdown.
Can California cities set a higher minimum wage than the state?
Yes. Cities and counties can set minimum wages above the state rate and many do. If you work in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Berkeley, Emeryville, or several other cities, a higher local rate applies to you. See the city rates table above.
Is there a California minimum wage for tipped workers?
Yes — California's minimum wage applies in full to tipped workers with no tip credit allowed. Employers must pay the full $16.50/hr (or applicable higher rate) in wages regardless of tip income. Tips are entirely separate and additional. This is one of the strongest tipped worker protections in the US.
What happens if my employer pays me below California minimum wage?
Paying below the California minimum wage is a wage violation with significant recovery options: up to 3 years of back wages, interest, PAGA penalties of $100–$200 per pay period per employee, and attorney's fees. Workers can file a free wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner or pursue a private lawsuit for potentially larger recovery. See the full recovery section above.
What is California's minimum wage for fast food workers?
Under AB 1228 (effective April 2024), fast food workers at national chains with 60 or more locations nationwide receive $20/hr. This applies to limited-service restaurants — the rate can adjust annually by up to 3.5% or CPI (whichever is lower) through a Fast Food Council.
What is California's minimum wage for healthcare workers?
SB 525 established phased minimum wage increases for healthcare workers at covered facilities. Most covered workers are at $21/hr as of mid-2024, with increases continuing toward $25/hr by 2028. Covered employers include hospitals, clinics, dialysis centers, and home health agencies. The rate varies by facility type and size.
Looking for other wage calculators? Browse all free wage and pay calculators.