California Minimum Wage Increased from $16.50 to $16.90 Per Hour on January 1, 2026
/Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for all California hourly employees increased to $16.90 per hour, up from $16.50 per hour that was effective January 1, 2025.
The current California minimum wage for fast food restaurant employees that was established effective April 1, 2024 stands at $20 per hour. There is not an automatic inflation adjustment for this minimum wage. The Fast Food Council has the authority to adjust the wage. See www.dir.ca.gov/AB1228/AB1228.html.
The federal minimum wage for 2026 is still $7.25, a rate unchanged since it became effective on July 24, 2009.
California minimum wage rates apply to Ventura County residents, whereas certain localities establish their own city or county minimum wage rates.
The City of Los Angeles minimum wage rate has been $17.87 per hour since July 1, 2025. Each year, the minimum wage is adjusted for inflation; the adjusted rate is announced on February 1st of each year and becomes effective on July 1st of each year. See wagesla.lacity.org.
The County of Los Angeles minimum wage rate became $17.81 per hour effective July 1, 2025 and increases to $18.47 per hour starting July 1, 2026. See dcba.lacounty.gov/minimum-wage-for-businesses. This rate applies to employees in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
The top 3 highest minimum wage rates in California as of January 1, 2026 are in West Hollywood ($20.25), Emeryville ($19.90), and Mountain View ($19.70). See https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/#s-2.
