California Minimum Wage in 2026: $16.90 an Hour
The minimum wage in California is $16.90 an hour since January 1, 2026, $9.65 above the federal minimum. Full time that is $35,152 a year before tax.
California minimum wage at a glance
| Minimum wage | $16.90 an hour |
|---|---|
| In effect since | January 1, 2026 |
| Next change | $17.40 on Jan 1, 2027 |
| Tipped cash wage | $16.90 an hour |
| Overtime rate | $25.35 an hour |
| Federal minimum | $7.25 an hour |
No tip credit is allowed, many cities set higher local minimums (for example Los Angeles, San Francisco and West Hollywood), and fast-food and health-care workers have separate statewide rates.
What $16.90 an hour pays
| A week (40 hours) | $676 |
|---|---|
| A 50-hour week with overtime | $929.50 |
| A month | $2,929 |
| A year | $35,152 |
| Take-home a year (single) | $29,613 |
California and its neighbors
For employers in California
- Pay at least $16.90 an hour, and $17.40 from January 1, 2027; a higher city or county rate applies where it exists.
- Overtime: time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek, and after 8 hours in a workday.
- Pay transparency: Postings must include the pay scale: a good-faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage range (or piece-rate/commission range) the employer reasonably expects to pay on hire; benefits and bonuses are not required. Details →
- A full-time hire at $16.90 an hour costs more than $35,152 once payroll taxes and insurance are added. Employee cost calculator →
Source: www.dir.ca.gov, checked October 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Minimum wage in other states
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
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District of Columbia
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Hawaii
Idaho
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Rhode Island
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
$16.90 an hour, since January 1, 2026. No tip credit is allowed, many cities set higher local minimums (for example Los Angeles, San Francisco and West Hollywood), and fast-food and health-care workers have separate statewide rates.
How much is the California minimum wage a year?
$35,152 a year for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks: $2,929 a month or $676 a week before tax. After federal and state taxes a single filer takes home about $29,613 a year.
Is the California minimum wage going up?
Yes: to $17.40 an hour on January 1, 2027.
What is overtime pay at minimum wage in California?
$25.35 an hour (time and a half) for hours over 40 in a workweek, and California also pays overtime after 8 hours in a workday. A 50-hour week at minimum wage pays $929.50.
What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
Tipped workers in California must be paid the full minimum wage of $16.90 an hour before tips.
Do cities in California have a higher minimum wage?
Not that we list. If your city or county sets its own minimum wage, the higher rate applies where the work is done.
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