California Minimum Wage 2026: $16.90 Statewide, and Where Local Rates Run Higher

California’s statewide minimum wage is $16.90 an hour, effective January 1, 2026. California does not allow a tip credit — tipped employees get the full $16.90 in direct wages regardless of tips. Dozens of cities and counties set their own minimum above the state rate, and the highest of state, local, or industry-specific rate is the one that applies to a given work location.

California at a glance

Local rates that run above the state minimum

California is unusual in how many cities and counties set their own minimum wage above the state’s $16.90, and the local rate governs whenever it’s higher. Verified local rates as of this page’s last update:

These are a sample, not the full list — California has dozens of cities and counties with their own ordinance, and several industries (fast food, health care) carry their own statewide minimums above $16.90 as well. Check the specific city or county before setting pay for a location not listed here.

What this means for hiring

Post the wage that applies to the actual work location, not the statewide $16.90, if the location falls under a higher local or industry rate — a job ad or offer that undercuts the local minimum is a compliance problem before it’s a recruiting one. Because California has no tip credit, tipped roles here should be priced and advertised at the full applicable minimum, not a lower cash-wage figure that would be legal in most other states.

Part of Boostpoint’s minimum wage by state series, covering the 16 states where Boostpoint runs the most hiring campaigns.