CACalifornia minimum wage 2026 and 2027
The lowest your employer can pay you in California is $16.90 an hour, since January 1, 2026. It goes up to $17.40 on January 1, 2027. If you get tips, you must still get at least $16.90 an hour in cash, and tips are on top.
California minimum wage, all the numbers
| What | Amount | Where we checked |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour right now | $16.90 | read the rulechecked October 29, 2026 |
| Next change | $17.40 January 1, 2027 | source |
| Cash pay for tipped workers | $16.90 | read the rulechecked October 29, 2026 |
| Tips an employer may count toward the minimum | None | |
| Overtime rate at minimum wage (1.5 times) | $25.35 | California overtime rules |
| A 40-hour week | $676.00 | |
| A month, full time | $2,929.33 | |
| A year, full time (2,080 hours) | $35,152.00 | |
| Federal minimum (the national floor) | $7.25 | U.S. Department of Labor |
Many cities set higher rates (for example West Hollywood, San Francisco, Los Angeles). Fast-food and some health-care workers have separate statewide minimums. No tip credit. Tipped workers get the full minimum wage before tips.
What these words mean
- Minimum wage
- The lowest hourly pay an employer may give you. Your state's rate applies if it is higher than the federal $7.25.
- Tip credit
- In some states an employer can pay tipped workers a lower cash wage and count your tips toward the minimum wage. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
- Overtime
- Extra pay for extra hours. Federal law says 1.5 times your normal rate for every hour over 40 in a work week. Some states add rules for long days.
- Wage complaint
- A free claim you file with your state labor office or the U.S. Department of Labor when you are not paid what the law requires.
Questions
What is the minimum wage in California right now?
$16.90 an hour, since January 1, 2026. Many cities set higher rates (for example West Hollywood, San Francisco, Los Angeles). Fast-food and some health-care workers have separate statewide minimums.
Is the California minimum wage going up in 2027?
Yes. It goes up to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
I get tips. What must my employer pay me in cash?
The full $16.90 an hour, before any tips. California does not let employers count tips toward the minimum wage. No tip credit. Tipped workers get the full minimum wage before tips.
What is my overtime rate if I earn minimum wage in California?
$25.35 an hour (1.5 times the minimum wage) for hours over 40 in a week and for hours over 8 in a day. See California overtime rules.
How much is minimum wage per year in California?
$35,152.00 before tax for 40 hours a week all year (2,080 hours). That is $676.00 a week and $2,929.33 a month.
My employer pays less than $16.90. What can I do?
Check whether you are covered: a few small employers and some jobs have different rules (see the notes above). If you are covered, you can file a free wage complaint with the California labor office or the U.S. Department of Labor, and it is illegal to punish you for it.
More California pay rules
Verified October 29, 2026 against the U.S. Department of Labor state table and California sources. Next scheduled check: January 1, 2027. Change log.