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Minimum Wage in California

California's minimum wage is $16.90 per hour in 2026, tips cannot be credited toward it, and it rises to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

California at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$16.90
Statewide rate for all employers; fast food, some health care workers and many cities have higher rates.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$16.90 (no tip credit)
Employers may not use tips as a credit toward the minimum wage.
Next scheduled increase
$17.40 on January 1, 2027
Set by the yearly inflation adjustment (CPI-W, capped at 3.5 percent, rounded to 10 cents) under Labor Code 1182.12.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in California

What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in California: $16.90. Statewide rate for all employers; fast food, some health care workers and many cities have higher rates.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in California?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in California: $16.90 (no tip credit). Employers may not use tips as a credit toward the minimum wage.

When is the next minimum wage increase in California?

Next scheduled increase in California: $17.40 on January 1, 2027. Set by the yearly inflation adjustment (CPI-W, capped at 3.5 percent, rounded to 10 cents) under Labor Code 1182.12.

Where do the California minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from Cal. Lab. Code 1182.12 and Cal. Lab. Code 351. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.