Minimum wage in California
California's basic minimum wage is $16.90 an hour. That is $9.65 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The rate is adjusted annually by a formula set in state law, so the figure here is the one DOL showed as of July 1, 2026. Tipped employees must be paid the full state minimum wage of $16.90 before tips; no tip credit is allowed. Against California's $16.90 floor for FLSA-covered employers, among its 3 neighbors Oregon ($15.55), Arizona ($15.15) and Nevada ($12.00) are lower.
Verified against the U.S. Department of Labor on (DOL's state table updated ). Source: State Minimum Wage Laws, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees.
At a glance
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| State minimum wage | $16.90 |
| Against the federal $7.25 | $9.65 above federal |
| Floor for FLSA-covered employers | $16.90 (the higher of the state and federal rates) |
| Scheduled change | Adjusted annually by a formula in state law (no amount listed by DOL) |
| Overtime threshold in state law | Daily - 8 (time and half), and 12 (double time), Weekly - 40; on 7th day: First 8 hours (time and half) Over 8 hours on 7th day (double time) |
| Tipped cash wage | $16.90 |
| Maximum tip credit | None (full minimum wage before tips) |
Rates as DOL lists them
| Rate per hour | Applies to |
|---|---|
| $16.90 | No condition stated by DOL |
Premium pay after designated hours: Daily - 8 (time and half), and 12 (double time), Weekly - 40; on 7th day: First 8 hours (time and half) Over 8 hours on 7th day (double time). DOL footnote 1: The overtime premium rate is one and one-half times the employee's regular rate, unless otherwise specified.
Scheduled increases
DOL lists no dated increase for California but states that the rate is adjusted annually by a formula set in state law. The next figure is published by the state, usually before January 1 or July 1; this page shows the rate DOL carried on July 1, 2026.
Tipped employees
California requires employers to pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage before tips; no tip credit is allowed.
| Row | Combined cash and tip minimum | Maximum tip credit | Minimum cash wage | Tipped employee defined by monthly tips of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | — | — | $16.90 | — |
A dash means DOL left the cell blank. DOL's general footnote 1: Other additional deductions are permitted, for example for meals and lodging.
What DOL also notes
- Any work in excess of eight hours in one workday, in excess of 40 hours in one workweek, or in the first eight hours worked on the seventh day of work in any one workweek shall be at the rate of one and one-half times the regular rate of pay. Any work in excess of 12 hours in one day or in excess of eight hours on any seventh day of a workweek shall be paid no less than twice the regular rate of pay. California Labor Code section 510. Exceptions apply to an employee working pursuant to an alternative workweek adopted pursuant to applicable Labor Code sections and for time spent commuting. (See Labor Code section 510 for exceptions).
- The minimum wage will be adjusted annually based upon a set formula.
Neighbors and the federal floor
| State | State rate | Floor for FLSA-covered employers |
|---|---|---|
| California | $16.90 | $16.90 |
| Oregon | $15.55 | $15.55 |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $15.15 |
| Nevada | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| Federal (FLSA) | $7.25 | $7.25 |
More than one law can apply
DOL states that where federal, state and local minimum wage laws all cover an employer, the employer must pay the highest applicable rate. Whether a particular job is covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, by California's law, or by a city or county ordinance depends on facts this site does not assess. City and county rates are not in DOL's table and are not shown here. This page describes published rates and is not legal advice; for how to raise an underpayment, see FastGuide.
Take-home pay and benefits calculators for California
FastCalc, a sister site, has these calculators for California. Each takes your own figures; this site computes nothing.
Related
- California wage profile: what occupations actually pay in California, from BLS data.
- Minimum wage by state and the federal minimum wage.
- Federal versus state minimum wage and tipped wages and tip credits.
- Take-home pay calculator on FastCalc for what $16.90 an hour leaves after withholding; this site computes nothing.