(626) 396-9900At Romero Law, APC, our experienced Pasadena wage and hour law attorneys know it may be challenging for employees to keep up with ever-changing California minimum wage requirements.
However, the complexities do not stop there. California workers should also know employers of every size must pay the local minimum wage if it is higher than the state minimum wage.
Here is what all California workers need to know about the minimum pay rate they are entitled to, and when they went into effect.
What is the Current Minimum Wage in California?
According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, effective January 1, 2022, the state minimum wage for employers with 25 or fewer employees increased to $14.
The state minimum wage for employers with 26 or more employees increased to $15 per hour.
Current California Legislation requires the minimum hourly wage to rise by $1 again in January 2023, for employers with less than 26 employees.
Employers in 30 cities or counties are already required to pay an hourly minimum wage ranging from $15 to more than $17 following their local government wage order or ordinance.
California City and County Current Minimum Wages
Many California localities have their own minimum wage ordinances which are higher than the state minimum wage.
According to the data provided by the UC Berkeley Labor Center, they are:
| Locality | Date | Rate | Small Employer |
| Alameda | 07-01-2020 | $15.00 | |
| Belmont | 01-01-2022 | $16.20 | |
| Berkeley | 07-01-2021 | $16.32 | |
| Burlingame | 01-01-2022 | $15.60 | |
| Cupertino | 01-01-2022 | $16.40 | |
| Daly City | 01-01-2022 | $15.53 | |
| East Palo Alto | 01-01-2022 | $15.60 | |
| El Cerrito | 01-01-2022 | $16.37 | |
| Emeryville | 07-01-2021 | $17.13 | |
| Fremont | 07-01-2021 | $15.25 | $15.00 |
| Half Moon Bay | 01-01-2022 | $15.56 | |
| Hayward | 01-01-2022 | $15.56 | $14.52 |
| Los Altos | 01-01-2022 | $16.40 | |
| Los Angeles | 07-01-2021 | $15.00 | |
| Los Angeles County (unincorporated) | 07-01-2021 | $15.00 | |
| Malibu | 07-01-2021 | $15.00 | |
| Menlo Park | 01-01-2022 | $15.75 | |
| Milpitas | 07-01-2021 | $15.65 | |
| Mountain View | 01-01-2022 | $17.10 | |
| Novato | 01-01-2022 | $15.53 | $15.00 |
| Oakland | 01-01-2022 | $15.06 | |
| Palo Alto | 01-01-2022 | $16.25 | |
| Pasadena | 07-01-2021 | $15.00 | |
| Petaluma | 01-01-2022 | $15.85 | |
| Redwood City | 01-01-2022 | $16.20 | |
| Richmond | 01-01-2022 | $15.54 | |
| San Carlos | 01-01-2022 | $15.77 | |
| San Diego | 01-01-2022 | $15.00 | |
| San Francisco | 07-01-2021 | $16.32 | |
| San Jose | 01-01-2022 | $16.20 | |
| San Leandro | 07-01-2020 | $15.00 | |
| San Mateo | 01-01-2022 | $16.20 | |
| Santa Clara | 01-01-2022 | $16.40 | |
| Santa Monica | 07-01-2021 | $15.00 | |
| Santa Rosa | 01-01-2022 | $15.85 | |
| Sonoma | 01-01-2022 | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| South San Francisco | 01-01-2022 | $15.80 | |
| Sunnyvale | 01-01-2022 | $17.10 | |
| West Hollywood | 01-01-2022 | $15.50 | $15.00 |
*Small Employer is defined as employing 25 or fewer workers.
Employers must also ensure their minimum wage postings are updated appropriately to reflect state and local increases.
Contact Our Skilled Wage and Hour Attorneys in Pasadena, California Today
If your employer is not paying the state or local minimum wage requirements, contact our experienced Los Angeles County employment dispute lawyer today to discuss their wage and hour violations, so you can get the help you need to bring them into compliance.
Our employment law firm and bilingual staff offer services in both English and Spanish and are available now to discuss your case during a free consultation by calling 626-396-9900 or contacting us online.
(626) 396-9900