On July 1st, multiple cities and counties in California will implement their local minimum wage rate increases. Many California cities and counties set local minimum wage rates that override the state requirements. While the statewide minimum wage remains $16.90 per hour as of January 1, 2026, many cities and counties have enacted local ordinances requiring higher pay rates and several of those rates increase again on July 1st. These are the new rates for the jurisdictions listed below.
Local Minimum Wage Rates Effective July 1, 2026
- Alameda: $17.76 per hour (+30 cents from 2025)
- Berkeley: $19.61 per hour (+43 cents from 2025)
- Emeryville: $20.34 per hour (+44 cents from 2025)
- Fremont: $18.05 per hour (+30 cents from 2025)
- Glendale: $25.00 per hour for hotel workers
- Los Angeles (City): $18.42 per hour (+55 cents from 2025)
- $25.00 per hour for hotel and airport workers (+$2.50 from 2025)
- Employers that do not provide health benefits must pay additional wages.
- Los Angeles (County): $18.47 per hour (+66 cents from 2025)
- Malibu: $17.91 per hour (+64 cents from 2025)
- Milpitas: $18.50 per hour (+30 cents from 2025)
- Pasadena: $18.57 per hour (+53 cents from 2025)
- San Francisco: $19.61 per hour (+43 cents from 2025)
- $17.35 per hour for a limited number of government-supported employees (+38 cents from 2025)
- Santa Monica: $18.47 per hour (+66 cents from 2025)
- West Hollywood: $20.87 per hour for hotel employees (+65 cents from 2025)
*** The new minimum wage amounts apply to hours worked on or after July 1st.
Multi-Location Employers
For employers operating in multiple California cities, minimum wage compliance can become more nuanced. Employees may work shifts in different cities, travel between locations, fill in temporarily at another site, or work remotely from a jurisdiction with a higher local rate. In these situations, accurate work location records can help employers stay compliant.
Coverage can vary based on factors such as employer size, geographic location, and in some cases hotel room count or property type, so it may be useful to review the specific requirements of each ordinance.
When Different Minimum Wage Rules Apply
There are some instances where this minimum wage does not apply:
- Fast food restaurant employees covered by California Labor Code Section 1474-1476 have their own minimum wage of $20 per hour that began on April 1, 2024.
- Health care workers, under Senate Bill 525, have their own separate phased-in wage schedule that varies by facility type.
- Hotel and hospitality workers in certain cities have their own requirements.
For a current listing of all the California City & State Minimum Wages, view our page here: https://californiapayroll.com/california-minimum-wage/
Update the Required Labor Law Posters
Many of these local wage increases require corresponding postings. California Payroll offers poster services to make posting these updates in the workplace simple.
Contact us if you need an automated solution for your company’s posters.
