California minimum wage (2026)
The minimum wage in California is $16.90 an hour – $35,152 a year for full-time work, rising to $17.40 on January 1, 2027. Compare it with what common jobs in California actually pay.
California minimum wage$16.90/hr
Some industries (such as fast food and health care) and many cities have higher minimum wages.
Scheduled increases
Annual inflation adjustment$17.40
Full-time minimum-wage pay
Gross pay before taxes for a full-time job at $16.90/hr.
Typical pay in California
18,213,700 jobs$28.00/hr$58,240 a year
The minimum wage equals 60% of the state's median hourly wage.
What common jobs pay in California
Median wage in California for its most common jobs (BLS, May 2025).
970,150 jobs in California$16.50/hrFast Food and Counter Workers
449,840 jobs in California$20.33/hrRetail Salespersons
376,460 jobs in California$18.48/hrLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
355,500 jobs in California$21.50/hrRegistered Nurses
338,940 jobs in California$67.44/hrCashiers
336,110 jobs in California$17.84/hrOffice Clerks, General
311,490 jobs in California$23.30/hrStockers and Order Fillers
310,870 jobs in California$20.61/hrGeneral and Operations Managers
300,840 jobs in California$59.81/hrSoftware Developers
284,390 jobs in California$83.85/hr
Nearby in the ranking
All states ranked ›Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws and the California labor department (rates, checked October 28, 2026); BLS OEWS (wages). Local and tipped rates are not shown.
Questions & answers
What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour. Some industries (such as fast food and health care) and many cities have higher minimum wages.
Is California's minimum wage going up?
It is scheduled to rise to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
How much is a full-time minimum-wage job in California per year?
At $16.90 an hour, 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours) comes to $35,152 a year before taxes, or about $676.00 a week.
What is the typical wage in California?
The median wage for all jobs in California was $28.00 an hour ($58,240 a year) in May 2025, according to BLS. The minimum wage is 60% of that.
Can my city have a higher minimum wage?
Yes, if California allows local minimum wages, a city or county can set a higher rate, and employers must pay whichever rate is highest: federal, state or local. Check your city's labor office.