1. Labor Commissioner's Office

Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in California, effective January 1, 2025, is $16.50/hour for all employers. Fast Food Restaurant employers, effective April 1, 2024, and Healthcare Facility employers, effective October 16, 2024 (see below), have a higher minimum wage.

Some cities and counties have higher minimum wages than the state’s rate. Here is a list of City and County minimum wages in California maintained by UC Berkeley.

Most employees in California must be paid at least the minimum wage per hour, with some exceptions explained in the FAQs below.

• Frequently Asked Questions about exemption and pay 
• California’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $16.50 per hour in January 2025
• Frequently Asked Questions about the 2017-2023 $15 phase in

Fast Food Minimum Wage Effective April 1, 2024

Starting April 1, 2024, all “fast food restaurant employees” who are covered by the new law must be paid at least $20.00 per hour. For more information, visit Fast Food Minimum Wage Frequently Asked Questions. Fast food employers must post this Minimum Wage Order Supplement for Fast Food Restaurant Employees.

Health Care Worker Minimum Wage FAQs Posted

Starting October 16, 2024, certain health care workers must be paid a higher minimum wage.

For more information on the minimum wage increase and which workers are covered, visit the Health Care Worker Minimum Wage FAQs. For more information on the clinic waiver program, visit the Health Care Minimum Wage Clinic Waiver Program FAQs and access the clinic waiver application here.

January 2025