2019 California State Minimum Wage Increases

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Effective January 1, 2019, the following minimum hourly wages will be in effect for the State of California:

  • Employers with 26 or more employees: $12.00
  • Employers with 25 or fewer employees: $11.00
Rate (Jan. 1) 26 Employees or More 25 Employees or Less
2019 $12.00 $11.00
2020 $13.00 $12.00

Exempt Employee Minimum Salary

The yearly minimum salary for properly classified exempt employees in California is twice the minimum wage x 2080 hours per year. Therefore, each year as the minimum wage goes up, so does the minimum amount an exempt employee must be paid. Exempt employee minimum salaries are as follows for 2019:

  • Employers with 25 or fewer employees: $45,760 per year, or $880 per week.
  • Employers with 26 or more employees: $49,920 per year, or $960 per week

Included below are City minimum wage increases:

  • Belmont: $13.50
  • Cupertino: $15.00
  • El Cerrito: $15.00
  • Los Altos: $15.00
  • Mountain View: $15.65
  • Oakland: $13.80
  • Palo Alto: $15.00
  • Richmond: $15.00
  • San Diego: $12.00
  • San Jose: $15.00
  • San Mateo: $15.00, but $13.50 for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations
  • Santa Clara: $15.00
  • Sunnyvale: $15.65

Note: It is recommended that employers review their current related pay rates and compliance practices, both for applicable state and local minimum wage rates as local minimum wage rates may vary by municipality.

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