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Minimum wage in California is the highest in the United States. It is currently set at $13 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. For employers with 26 or more employees, the minimum wage is $14 per hour, and it will increase to $15 per hour in 2025. In addition, the state also provides a minimum wage for tipped employees, which is $12 per hour if the employers are located in San Francisco, San Jose, or Santa Clara.
The minimum wage in California is updated on an annual basis to account for inflation. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) also provides information on the current minimum wage rate, which can be accessed on their website. There is also a separate minimum wage rate for minors employed in California, which is $8.50 per hour.
Employers in California must pay their employees at least the minimum wage, and must not deduct any wages from an employee’s salary unless it is allowed by law. Employers must also post the current minimum wage and other labor laws in a conspicuous place in the workplace.
In addition, California has a number of other labor laws that employers must comply with in order to ensure their employees are paid fair wages. This includes laws regarding overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, paid sick leave, vacation time, and other employee benefits.
Minimum wage is an important issue, and it is important for employers to understand the current laws and regulations regarding minimum wage in the state of California. It is also important for employees to be aware of their rights and to ensure they are being paid fairly for their work.
What Is The Minimum Wage In California?
Are you an employee in California? Are you wondering what the minimum wage is in the Golden State? You’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll cover the current minimum wage in California, when the next increase will occur, and which cities and counties have their own minimum wage.
Currently, the California minimum wage is $13 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. For employers with 26 or more employees, the minimum wage is $14 per hour. This rate applies throughout California, with the exception of certain cities and counties that have adopted their own minimum wage.
The minimum wage in California will rise to $14 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees on January 1, 2025, and to $15 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees on January 1, 2025.
In addition to the state minimum wage, a number of cities and counties in California have adopted their own minimum wage ordinances. The table below lists the cities and counties with their own minimum wage rate, as of June 2025.
| City/County | Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Berkeley | $16.07 per hour |
| Cupertino | $15.65 per hour |
| Emeryville | $15.69 per hour |
| Los Angeles City & County | $14.25 per hour |
| Malibu | $12.00 per hour |
| Milpitas | $15.40 per hour |
| Mountain View | $15.65 per hour |
| Oakland | $14.36 per hour |
| Palo Alto | $15.00 per hour |
| San Diego | $14.00 per hour |
| San Francisco | $16.07 per hour |
| San Jose | $15.25 per hour |
| Santa Monica | $13.25 per hour |
| Santa Cruz | $14.00 per hour |
Remember, the state minimum wage rate applies to all employers in California, unless a city or county sets a higher minimum wage. If you’re an employer in California, make sure you’re in compliance with the state and local minimum wage laws.
California’s Minimum Wage Rate: 2025 Update
California’s minimum wage rate is increasing in 2025. As of January 1, 2025, California’s minimum wage rate is $14.00 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees and $15.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees. This is an increase from the 2025 rate of $13.00 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees and $14.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees.
The minimum wage rate for California employees is determined each year by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DSLE). The DSLE reviews the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each year to determine if the minimum wage rate should be increased. If the CPI shows that the cost of living has increased, then the minimum wage rate is increased to reflect this increase.
The DSLE also reviews the wage rates of surrounding states to ensure that California employees are not disadvantaged when compared to employees in other states. In 2025, the minimum wage rate in California is higher than the minimum wage rate in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Employers must pay their employees at least the minimum wage rate. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as tipped employees, but the general rule is that employers must pay their employees at least the minimum wage rate. Employers are also required to provide their employees with a wage statement that states the hours worked and the wages earned.
It is important for employers to be aware of the current minimum wage rate and to ensure that their employees are receiving at least the minimum wage rate. Failure to do so can result in serious legal consequences. Furthermore, employers must comply with any applicable local minimum wage rate that may be in effect in their area. Local minimum wage rates may be higher than the state-mandated minimum wage rate.
| Employer Size | Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| 25 or fewer Employees | $14.00/hour |
| 26 or more Employees | $15.00/hour |
California employers must comply with the state’s minimum wage rate and any applicable local wage rate. Failure to comply with the minimum wage rate can result in serious legal action. It is important for employers to keep up to date on the current minimum wage rate and to ensure that their employees are receiving at least the minimum wage rate.
