Minimum wage in Sonoma, California
Sonoma sets its own minimum wage under its Sonoma Minimum Wage Ordinance. The general rate is $18.47 an hour, in effect since , with 2 tiers by employer size; that is $1.57 above the California rate of $16.90. Future rates are set by formula rather than a published schedule.
Read from City of Sonoma: New Sonoma Minimum Wage Rates Effective January 1, 2026 on (page SHA-256 0a8b5b47f0f7…). Every figure on this page was found on that page at that time.
Current rates
| Rate per hour | Applies to | In effect since |
|---|---|---|
| $18.47 | Large employers (26 or more employees) | |
| $17.38 | Small employers (25 or fewer employees) |
Scheduled changes
The city's page states no dated increase beyond the current rate.
How the rate is adjusted: Scheduled increases in the city's minimum wage ordinance, then CPI adjustment.
Tipped employees
The city's page states no separate tipped rate; California law allows no tip credit, so the full local minimum wage is owed before tips. California's state tipped rule (DOL): cash wage $16.90.
Against the state and federal rates
| Law | Rate |
|---|---|
| Sonoma (city ordinance) | $18.47 |
| California (state law) | $16.90 |
| Federal (FLSA) | $7.25 |
Where federal, state and local laws all cover an employer, the highest applicable rate must be paid. Whether a particular job is covered by this ordinance (most apply to hours worked inside the city limits, with a minimum number of hours a week) depends on facts this site does not assess. This page describes published rates and is not legal advice; see FastGuide for how to raise an underpayment.
Related
- Other local rates in California: Burlingame, East Palo Alto, El Cerrito, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hayward, Los Angeles, Malibu, Milpitas, Richmond, San Carlos, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Unincorporated Los Angeles County, Unincorporated San Mateo County.
- All city and county minimum wages and the California minimum wage.
- California wage profile: what occupations actually pay, from BLS data.
- Take-home pay calculator on FastCalc for what $18.47 an hour leaves after withholding; this site computes nothing.