Minimum wage in California
California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour, $9.65 above the federal minimum. Full-time, that works out to $35,152 a year before taxes.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: dir.ca.gov.
Who gets which rate
No tip credit. Industry minimums: fast-food restaurant workers $20.00; covered health care workers have separate schedules ($18-$25 by facility type).
City and county minimum wages
Many cities above state rate (2026): West Hollywood $20.25, Mountain View $19.70, San Francisco $19.61 and Berkeley $19.61 (Jul 1, 2026), Sunnyvale $19.50, Pasadena $18.57, Santa Monica $18.47, San Jose $18.45, Los Angeles city $18.42 (Jul 1, 2026), San Diego $17.75, Oakland $17.34. Announced Jan 1, 2027 local rates include San Diego $18.35, San Jose $19.00, Sunnyvale $20.05, West Hollywood $20.94. Local rates apply to work performed inside those city or county limits.
What the minimum wage pays in California
| Period | Before taxes | After taxes (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Hour | $16.90 | $14.22 |
| Week (40 hours) | $676 | $569 |
| Month | $2,929 | $2,465 |
| Year (2,080 hours) | $35,152 | $29,579 |
After-tax figures assume a single filer with the standard deduction, tax year 2026. Run your own numbers.
Overtime
Non-exempt workers earn at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, which is $25.35 an hour at the California minimum. Daily overtime: 1.5x after 8 hours/day and for first 8 hours on 7th consecutive day; 2x after 12 hours/day and after 8 hours on 7th day.
How California compares with its neighbors
| State | Minimum wage | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| California | $16.90 | $17.40 on January 1, 2027 |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $15.65 on January 1, 2027 |
| Nevada | $12.00 | — |
| Oregon | $15.55 | — |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the minimum wage in California?
- The California minimum wage is $16.90 an hour as of November 3, 2026.
- Is California's minimum wage going up?
- Yes. It is scheduled to rise to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
- Tipped workers must be paid the full minimum wage of $16.90 before tips.
- How much is minimum wage a year in California?
- About $35,152 before taxes for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, or roughly $29,579 after federal and state taxes.