The current minimum wage is $14 per hour in California for all employers with 26 or more employees. For employers who have less than 26 employees, the state minimum wage is $13 per hour.
California employers must also comply with local laws governing minimum wages. On July 1, several cities and counties will increase their minimum wage. The amount of the increase generally depends on the size of the employer and the locality, ranging from $17.31 per hour in Emeryville, California, for large employers to $13 per hour in Orange County, for small employers. In the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, the minimum wage for all employers will increase to $15.00 per hour regardless of the employer size.
Starting July 1, 2021, minimum wages will be set as follows in the following municipalities [note that this list, while extensive, may not be comprehensive – for example Los Angeles and Santa Monica have separate minimum wage requirements for hotel workers]:
| County or City | Minimum Wage (26 or More Employees) | Special Lower Minimum Wage for Small Businesses (25 of Fewer Employees) |
| Alameda | $15.00/hour | |
| Belmont | $15.90/hour | |
| Berkeley | $16.32/hour | |
| Burlingame | $15.00/hour | |
| Cupertino | $15.65/hour | |
| Daly City | $15.00/hour | |
| East Palo Alto | $15.00/hour | |
| El Cerrito | $15.61/hour | |
| Emeryville | $17.13/hour | |
| Fremont | $15.25/hour | $15.00/hour |
| Half Moon Bay | $15.00/hour | |
| Hayward | $15.00/hour | $14.00/hour |
| Los Altos | $15.65/hour | |
| Los Angeles (City and Unincorporated Areas of County) | $15.00/hour | |
| Malibu | $15.00/hour | |
| Menlo Park | $15.25/hour | |
| Milpitas | $15.65/hour | |
| Mountain View | $16.30/hour | |
| Novato | $15.24/hour (100 or more employees) $15.00/hour (26-99 employees) | $14.00/hour |
| Oakland | $14.36/hour | |
| Orange (City and County) | $14.00/hour | $13.00/hour |
| Palo Alto | $15.65/hour | |
| Pasadena | $15.00/hour | |
| Petaluma | $15.20/hour | $15.00/hour |
| Redwood City | $15.62/hour | |
| Richmond | $15.21/hour | |
| San Carlos | $15.24/hour | |
| San Diego | $14.00/hour | |
| San Francisco | $16.32/hour | |
| South San Francisco | $15.25/hour | |
| San Jose | $15.45/hour | |
| San Leandro | $15.00/hour | |
| San Mateo | $15.62/hour | |
| Santa Clara | $15.65/hour | |
| Santa Monica | $15.00/hour | |
| Santa Rosa | $15.20/hour | |
| Sonoma | $15.00/hour | $14.00/hour |
| Sunnyvale | $16.30/hour |
* Special minimum wage rates often apply to hotel workers which the above table does not capture.
California employers need to be mindful of potential minimum wage increases twice annually, on January 1 and July 1, and plan to adjust pay practices accordingly. Additionally, local ordinances may also require employers to post notice of the minimum wage change in a conspicuous area informing employees of the increase.
