Current Minimum Wage in California
The minimum wage in California is $16.50 per hour as of 2026. This is $9.25 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
Wage Breakdown
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $16.50 | 1 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $132 | 8 |
| Weekly | $660 | 40 |
| Biweekly | $1,320 | 80 |
| Monthly | $2,860 | ~173 |
| Annual | $34,320 | 2,080 |
Tipped Employee Wage
California does not allow a tip credit. Tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage of $16.50/hr from their employer, with tips on top.
Scheduled Increases
Increases to $16.50 Jan 2025. Fast food workers: $20.00/hr. Healthcare workers: $25.00/hr by 2028.
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage
Federal Poverty Line (single)
$15,060/year
Minimum wage is $19,260 above poverty line
Estimated Living Wage (CA)
~$24.17/hr
Based on cost of living index (142.2)
Cost of Living Context
California's cost of living index is 142.2 (national average = 100). This means living in California is 42.2% more expensive than the national average. The median hourly wage in California is $23.49/hr, which is 42% above the minimum wage.
Key Facts
No tip credit. Some cities have higher local minimums (SF, LA, San Jose). Fast food workers earn $20/hr minimum.
How This Compares
| Metric | CA | Federal | Highest (WA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $16.50 | $7.25 | $16.66 |
| Tipped Wage | $16.50 | $2.13 | $16.66 |
| Annual (FT) | $34,320 | $15,080 | $34,653 |
Useful Resources
California Average Salary
Median income and top employers in CA
California Tax Rates
Income, sales & property tax in CA
Salary Calculator
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Paycheck Calculator
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