2026 California Minimum Wage

New minimum wage is $16.90 (up from $16.50) on January 1.

A minimum wage of $20 per hour for certain fast-food workers in limited service restaurants that are part of chains with over 60 locations nationally began April 1, 2024. A limited service restaurant is one that offers limited or no table service, where the customers order food or beverage items and pay for those items before the items are consumed.

PS: The San Francisco minimum wage will go up July 1, 2026. It’s likely the new wage will be announced in May.