New increased minimum wage requirements will take effect on January 1, 2024, for the state of California and multiple California cities and counties. The increased wages apply only to hours worked on or after January 1, 2024.
As of January 1, 2024, new statewide minimum wages for California are as follows:
- California State Minimum Wage for Hourly Employees: $16.00/hour (regardless of size)
- California State Minimum Wage for Exempt Employees: $66,560/year, or $1,280/ week
Aryeh Leichter, the Los Angeles employment law attorney at the Leichter Law Firm, APC, knows some cities and counties in California have higher minimum wages than the state rate.
UC Berkeley maintains a list of minimum wages for cities and counties in California.
As of January 1, 2024, minimum wages will be increasing in the following cities/counties in California:
| Belmont, CA | $17.35/hour |
| Burlingame, CA | $17.03/hour |
| Cupertino, CA | $17.75/hour |
| Daly City, CA | $16.62/hour |
| East Palo Alto, CA | $17.10/hour |
| El Cerrito, CA | $17.92/hour |
| Foster City, CA | $17.00/hour |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | $17.01/hour |
| Hayward, CA | $16.00/hour for small businesses (25 or fewer employees) $16.90/hour for large companies (26 or more employees) |
| Los Altos, CA | $17.75/hour |
| Menlo Park, CA | $16.70/hour |
| Mountain View, CA | $18.75/hour |
| Novato, CA | $16.04/ hour for small businesses (25 or fewer employees) 16.60/hour for large companies (26-99 employees) $16.60/hour for large companies (26-99 employees) $16.86/hour for very large companies (100+ employees) |
| Oakland, CA | $16.50/hour $17.94/hour for hotel workers with Health Benefits $23.91/hour for hotel workers without Health Benefits |
| Palo Alto, CA | $17.80/hour |
| Redwood City, CA | $17.70/hour |
| San Carlos, CA | $16.87/hour |
| San Diego, CA (City) | $16.85/hour |
| San Jose, CA | $17.55/hour |
| San Mateo, CA (City) | $17.35/hour |
| Santa Clara, CA (City) | $17.75/hour |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $17.45/hour |
| Sonoma, CA (City) | $16.56/hour for small employers (25 or fewer employees) $17.60/hour for large employers (26 or more employees) |
| South San Francisco, CA | $17.25/hour |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $18.55/hour |
In addition, California has two new laws that will increase the minimum pay rates of some workers in specific industries. For example, the minimum wage for covered healthcare employees will increase to $21 per hour on June 1, 2024. It will increase to $23 per hour on June 1, 2026, and $25 per hour on June 1, 2028.
Are You Being Paid Less Than Minimum Wage in California?
Contact Aryeh Leichter, the Leichter Law Firm, APC founder, and employment law attorney in Los Angeles County today to discuss the legal remedies that may be available for your unique workplace circumstances, starting with a free consultation by calling (818)-915-6624 or contacting the firm online.