Statutory minimum wage in California (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: California's state minimum wage is $16.90 an hour from 1 January 2026 and is set to rise to $17.40 on 1 January 2027. It is adjusted yearly for inflation, and higher rates apply to fast food and healthcare facility workers and in some cities and counties.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $16.90 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | Minors receive the same minimum wage as adults. Employers may pay learners, regardless of age, at least 85 percent of the minimum wage (rounded to the nearest nickel) during their first 160 hours in an occupation in which they have no similar or related experience. [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | 1 January 2027 [2] |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | $17.40 per hour [2] |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | Employers may not use an employee's tips as a credit towards the minimum wage, so tipped employees receive the full minimum wage ($16.90 an hour) before tips. [1] |
| Overtime payEmployees | 1.5 times the regular rate after 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week and for the first 8 hours on the seventh day in a workweek; double time after 12 hours a day and after 8 hours on the seventh day (Labor Code 510). Exceptions apply. [3] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Cities and counties may set their own minimum wages, and several cities have adopted higher local rates; employers must pay the highest applicable rate. [1] |
Notes
- Higher minimum wages apply to fast food restaurant employers (since 1 April 2024), healthcare facility employers (since 16 October 2024) and in some cities and counties, according to the Department of Industrial Relations. After reaching $15 the rate is adjusted yearly for inflation (CPI-W), cannot fall and rises by at most 3.5 percent in a year.
Sources
- California Department of Industrial Relations: Minimum Wage Frequently Asked Questions (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- California Department of Industrial Relations: ICYMI: California's minimum wage set to increase to $17.40 per hour on January 1, 2027 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated 1 July 2026) (Internet Archive snapshot of 2 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
California and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Yes | $16.90 per hour | Minors receive the same minimum wage as adults. Employers may pay learners, regardless of age, at least 85 percent of the minimum wage (rounded to the nearest nickel) during their first 160 hours in an occupation in which they have no similar or related experience. | 1 January 2027 | $17.40 per hour |
| Arizona | Yes | $15.15 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | 1 January 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Nevada | Yes | $12.00 per hour | Under-18s in nonprofit after-school/summer jobs excluded | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oregon | Yes (state law) | Employees: $15.55 per hour (standard rate) Employees, Portland metro: $16.80 per hour (Portland metro) Employees, Non-urban: $14.55 per hour (non-urban counties) | None; same rate for minors | 1 July 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in California
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal, 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Up to 6 plants, 21+
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (2-lane undivided)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15½ (instruction permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (state-approved "safe and sane" only) · Minimum age to buy: 16 (safe and sane fireworks)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Dagger only if blade exposed and locked · Locking or one-handed knives: Switchblade of 2 in or more banned; thumb-stud OK
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, age 16+ · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, age 16+
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.01% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.