What's New in 2026: California Minimum Wage Rates as of January 2026

$18.47 (26+ employees)

$17.38 (25 or fewer employees)

Unincorporated areas)

$17.73 (100+ employees)

$17.46 (26-99 employees)

$16.90 (25 or fewer employees)

( effective July 1, 2025)

$17.79 (26 or more employees)

$16.90 (25 or fewer employees) and

(effective July 1, 2025)

California’s minimum wage landscape continues to evolve two times each year. The statewide rate will rise to $16.90 per hour for all employers on January 1, 2026. Many cities and counties enforce local minimum wage ordinances that exceed that rate.

To keep track of interim updates, see the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education.

For employers with remote employees in multiple jurisdictions, different minimum wage rates may apply based on each worker’s location. To streamline compliance, some employers choose to pay the highest applicable minimum wage across all locations.

Covered employers are required to conspicuously post the applicable wage notice(s), available by the links above.

See also:

Helena Kobrin
Daniska Coronado
December 19, 2025

City or CountyMinimum Wage Rate AlamedaBelmontBerkeleyBurlingame CupertinoDaly City East Palo AltoEl Cerrito EmeryvilleFoster CityFremontHalf Moon BayHaywardLos Altos Los Angeles CityLos Angeles County (Unincorporated Areas)MalibuMenlo ParkMilpitasMountain View NovatoOaklandPalo AltoPasadenaPetalumaRedwood CityRichmondSan CarlosSan DiegoSan Francisco City and County San Jose San MateoSan Mateo CountySanta ClaraSanta MonicaSanta RosaSonomaSouth San FranciscoSunnyvaleWest Hollywood

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