California’s statewide minimum wage for 2026 is $16.90 an hour, and it applies to every employer regardless of size [1]. Many cities and counties require more, so the rate you’re owed depends on where you work.
At a glance
- State minimum, 2026
- $16.90 an hour, since Jan. 1, 2026 [1]
- State minimum, 2027
- $17.40 an hour, from Jan. 1, 2027 [2]
- Fast food (covered restaurants)
- $20.00 an hour, since April 1, 2024 [1]
- Health care workers
- $19.28 to $25.00 an hour from July 1, 2026, by facility type [3]
- Which rate applies
- The highest one: federal, state or local
City and county rates above the state minimum
Local minimum wages in California usually change on January 1 or July 1, and most rise each year with inflation. These are some of the largest and highest local rates, each checked against the city or county’s own notice.
| Where you work | Hourly minimum | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Emeryville | $20.34 | July 1, 2026 |
| San Francisco | $19.61 | July 1, 2026 |
| Berkeley | $19.61 | July 1, 2026 |
| Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas) | $18.47 | July 1, 2026 |
| City of Los Angeles | $18.42 | July 1, 2026 |
| San Diego (city) | $17.75 | January 1, 2026 |
| Oakland | $17.34 | January 1, 2026 |
This list isn’t complete. Many more cities, especially in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County, have their own minimum wage. Check your city’s labor standards office if you don’t see it here.
Fast food workers
Covered fast food restaurant employees have had a separate minimum wage of $20.00 an hour since April 1, 2024 [1]. Where a city’s general minimum is higher (Emeryville’s is $20.34 from July 1, 2026 [6]), the higher local rate wins.
Health care workers
Since October 16, 2024, many health care workers have their own minimum wage, set by the type of employer. The rates rose again on July 1, 2026 [3]:
| Type of employer | Hourly minimum |
|---|---|
| Large health systems (10,000+ full-time employees), dialysis clinics, large county facilities | $25.00 |
| Other covered health care facilities, medium county facilities | $23.00 |
| Clinics (community, rural, intermittent) and affiliated urgent care | $22.00 |
| Safety-net hospitals and small county facilities | $19.28 |
Which tier applies depends on how the employer is classified. If you’re not sure, ask your employer or the Labor Commissioner’s Office.
What’s coming in 2027
The statewide minimum goes to $17.40 an hour on January 1, 2027, an inflation adjustment announced by the Governor’s office on July 31, 2026 [2]. San Diego’s city rate rises to $18.35 the same day [5].
If you’re paid less
Keep your pay stubs and a record of your hours. You can file a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner, and many cities with their own minimum wage also take complaints through a local labor standards office.
Sources
- California Department of Industrial Relations: Minimum Wage
- Office of the Governor: California will raise statewide minimum wage (July 31, 2026)
- Health Care Worker Minimum Wage FAQ (DIR Labor Commissioner)
- San Francisco OLSE: Historical San Francisco Minimum Wage Rates
- City of San Diego: Minimum Wage Historical Rates
- City of Emeryville: New Labor Laws Effective July 1, 2026 (poster)
- City of Berkeley: Workforce Standards and Enforcement
- City of Los Angeles Office of Wage Standards
- Los Angeles County DCBA: Minimum Wage
- City of Oakland: Minimum Wage and Hotel Wage Posters
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
$16.90 an hour for all employers, since January 1, 2026. It rises to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
Do I get the city rate or the state rate?
Whichever is higher for the place where you do the work. If your city or county has a local minimum wage above $16.90, your employer must pay the local rate.
What is the fast food minimum wage in California?
$20 an hour for covered fast food restaurant workers, since April 1, 2024. If the local minimum wage where you work is higher, the higher rate applies.