California Minimum Wage 2026: $16.90/hr
California workers must be paid at least $16.90 an hour, $9.65 above the federal $7.25 minimum.
Data updated
Key facts for California
- Minimum wage
- $16.90/hr
- In effect since
- Scheduled change
- Next change: $17.40/hr effective
- Tipped cash wage
- No tip credit, full minimum
- Compared with federal
- +$9.65 vs the federal $7.25
- Overtime
- 1.5x after 40 hrs/week or 8 hrs/day; 2x after 12 hrs/day
Source
- Rule
- California minimum wage law
- Published by
- dir.ca.gov
- Last updated
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Hourly rate and hours in, weekly pay with California overtime rules out.
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California's minimum wage is $16.90/hr in 2026, $9.65 above the federal $7.25 minimum , ranked #4 of 51 US jurisdictions. It is scheduled to rise to $17.40/hr on January 1, 2027.
How the California minimum wage works
In California, the minimum wage is $16.90 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. California sets its own minimum wage, and no tip credit is allowed, so tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage of $16.90 per hour. Overtime is paid at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek, and after 8 hours in a single workday; double time (2×) applies beyond 12 hours in a day. This reflects a state overtime law.
California adjusts annually for inflation (CPI). The rate rises to $17.40/hr on January 1, 2027. No tip credit is allowed, so tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage. Some cities and counties have higher local rates.
How California compares
- State rate
- $16.90/hr
- Federal minimum
- $7.25/hr
- Difference
- +$9.65 (+133.1%)
- National rank
- #4 of 51
Ranked by 2026 effective minimum wage across all 51 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Federal comparison source: U.S. Department of Labor.
California overtime rules
- Weekly overtime threshold
- 40 hours (1.5x)
- Daily overtime threshold
- 8 hours (1.5x)
- Double time threshold
- 12 hours/day (2x)
- Governing law
- State overtime law
Daily OT: 1.5x for hours over 8 up to 12; 2x for hours beyond 12. Weekly OT: 1.5x for hours over 40. 7th consecutive day in a workweek: 1.5x for the first 8 hours, 2x after 8 hours. Alternative workweek schedules may apply with employee agreement.
Sources for this page
- California minimum wage — state labor department dir.ca.gov
- California overtime rules — state labor department dir.ca.gov
- U.S. Department of Labor dol.gov