Tipped workers
California has no tip credit: an employer may not count an employee's tips toward the minimum wage, so tipped workers get the full rate before tips.
California Minimum Wage
The California minimum wage for 2026 and 2027, the tipped and youth rates, local city and county minimums, and how the rate is set each year. Every figure links to its official source below.
California minimum wage, 2026 and 2027
| Rate | 2026 (now) | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard minimum wage | $16.90 | $17.40 |
Current rate in effect since January 1, 2026; next statewide change: the rate rises to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
Minors, trainees and other rates
Minors get the same minimum wage as adults. California makes no distinction between adults and minors.
Learners of any age, in an occupation where they have no previous similar or related experience, may be paid not less than 85% of the minimum wage (rounded to the nearest nickel) during their first 160 hours of employment.
Local minimum wages in California
California lets cities and counties set a higher minimum wage, and where a local rate is higher the employer must pay it. Many other California cities have their own rate; the two largest are below. Separate statewide rates also apply to fast food and certain health care workers.
| City or county | Current rate | Next rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (city) | $18.42since July 1, 2026 | Not yet announcedJuly 1, 2027 | Adjusted each July 1 by the Los Angeles-area CPI-W. Hotel workers have a separate, higher rate. |
| San Francisco | $19.61since July 1, 2026 | Not yet announcedJuly 1, 2027 | Adjusted each July 1 by CPI. Covers part-time and temporary workers who work in San Francisco. |
How the California minimum wage is set
Each year the statewide rate is adjusted for inflation using the national consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W). It can never go down, and the largest raise allowed in one year is 3.5%. The Department of Finance certified the 2027 rate on July 31, 2026; each new rate takes effect January 1.
What does $16.90 an hour leave you after tax in California? Run it through the paycheck calculator.
Open the paycheck calculator →Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
$16.90 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
What will the California minimum wage be in 2027?
The statewide rate rises to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
California has no tip credit: an employer may not count an employee's tips toward the minimum wage, so tipped workers get the full rate before tips.
Can minors be paid less than the minimum wage in California?
Minors get the same minimum wage as adults. California makes no distinction between adults and minors. Learners of any age, in an occupation where they have no previous similar or related experience, may be paid not less than 85% of the minimum wage (rounded to the nearest nickel) during their first 160 hours of employment.
How is the California minimum wage adjusted each year?
Each year the statewide rate is adjusted for inflation using the national consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W). It can never go down, and the largest raise allowed in one year is 3.5%. The Department of Finance certified the 2027 rate on July 31, 2026; each new rate takes effect January 1.
Do cities in California have a higher minimum wage?
California lets cities and counties set a higher minimum wage, and where a local rate is higher the employer must pay it. Many other California cities have their own rate; the two largest are below. Separate statewide rates also apply to fast food and certain health care workers.
Minimum wage in other states
Every state side by side: minimum wage by state 2026 and minimum wage by state 2027.
Florida Minimum Wage
$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Ohio Minimum Wage
$11.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Michigan Minimum Wage
$13.73 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Arizona Minimum Wage
$15.15 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Colorado Minimum Wage
$15.16 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Washington Minimum Wage
$17.13 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Illinois Minimum Wage
$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
New York Minimum Wage
$17.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Texas Minimum Wage
$7.25 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Connecticut Minimum Wage
$16.94 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Georgia Minimum Wage
$7.25 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
New Jersey Minimum Wage
$15.92 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Indiana Minimum Wage
$7.25 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Wisconsin Minimum Wage
$7.25 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Alabama Minimum Wage
$7.25 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Kansas Minimum Wage
$7.25 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Iowa Minimum Wage
$7.25 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Arkansas Minimum Wage
$11.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Virginia Minimum Wage
$12.77 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Missouri Minimum Wage
$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Nebraska Minimum Wage
$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.
Sources
Related Calculators
Minimum Wage by State 2026
Every 2026 state minimum wage vs the $7.25 federal floor, DOL-sourced, all 50 states + DC + territories
Minimum Wage by State 2027
Every 2027 state minimum wage vs the $7.25 federal floor, official-source verified, all 50 states + DC + territories
Paycheck Calculator
Federal, state, FICA withholding, net take-home, W-4 alignment
Salary to Hourly
Convert annual salary to hourly wage, part-time calculations