In this guide9 sections
Los Angeles’s “Olympic wage” for hotel and airport workers is in effect. As of July 1, 2026, covered workers in the City of Los Angeles must earn at least $25.00 an hour plus a health benefit payment, and an amendment adopted in 2026 moved the $30 rate from 2028 to January 1, 2030.
Key takeaways
- The hotel worker minimum wage in the City of Los Angeles is $25.00 an hour as of July 1, 2026, rising to $25.50 on July 1, 2027, and reaching $30.00 on January 1, 2030.
- Hotel employers must also pay a $4.25-an-hour health benefit payment as of July 1, 2026, either toward health benefits or as extra wages.
- Workers employed by contractors at a covered hotel can be covered too.
- Tips belong to you and can’t be taken or credited against your wages (Labor Code §351).
How the industry fight played out
The Los Angeles City Council approved the higher wage for hotel and airport workers in 2025, with a schedule reaching $30 in July 2028, the year the city hosts the Olympics. Hotel and tourism businesses tried to force a referendum, but in September 2025, news reports said the City Clerk found too few valid signatures, and the raise to $22.50 an hour took effect. On May 26, 2026, the City Council amended the ordinance, effective June 29, 2026, stretching the path to $30 out to 2030. For the ballot fight in detail, see L.A.’s $30 minimum wage ballot battle.
The hotel worker wage schedule
| Effective date | Hourly wage | Health benefit payment |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | $22.50 | — |
| July 1, 2026 | $25.00 | $4.25 |
| July 1, 2027 | $25.50 | $6.00 |
| July 1, 2028 | $28.50 | Same as airport workers |
| July 1, 2029 | $29.00 | Same as airport workers |
| January 1, 2030 | $30.00 | Same as airport workers |
Source: the amended Citywide Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance (Ordinance 188944). From July 1, 2030, the wage adjusts each year for inflation. If your employer provides no health benefits, or pays less than the required amount, the difference is added to your hourly pay. As of July 1, 2026, LAX airport workers covered by the city’s living wage rules must earn $25.00 an hour plus a $7.65 health benefit rate, according to Los Angeles World Airports.
These wages apply only inside the City of Los Angeles. Most other workers in the city are owed at least the general city minimum wage of $18.42 as of July 1, 2026. Check your city on our California minimum wage by city tool.
Who is covered
The hotel wage applies to workers whose primary place of work is one or more covered hotels, whether they are employed by the hotel or by a company the hotel contracts with to provide services there. News reports describe covered hotels as those with 60 or more rooms.
Example (hypothetical): Ana is a banquet server placed full time at a large downtown hotel by a staffing agency that pays her the general city minimum wage. She may be owed the hotel worker rate and health benefit payment.
Ways employers try to avoid the wage
- Cutting hours or shifts. Employers can generally reduce schedules, but you still must be paid the full rate for every hour you work, plus any reporting-time pay you’re owed. See split-shift and reporting-time pay.
- Counting tips toward wages. Under Labor Code §351, tips belong to the employees who receive them. Your employer can’t take them or make you credit them against your wages.
- Outsourcing or relabeling jobs. Moving work to a contractor, or calling you an independent contractor, doesn’t automatically remove coverage.
- Skipping the health benefit payment. Check your pay stub. If your employer isn’t paying for qualifying health benefits, the payment should show up as extra wages.
Layoffs and retaliation
If a large hotel shuts down or lays off 50 or more workers, Cal-WARN may require 60 days’ written notice (Labor Code §1401), and final pay is due on your last day. The City of Los Angeles also has recall and retention rules for hotel workers laid off for economic reasons. See Cal-WARN notice rights.
Under Labor Code §98.6, your employer can’t fire, demote or punish you for complaining about unpaid wages or filing a claim.
What to do if you are underpaid
- Compare your pay stubs to the schedule. Look for the hourly rate and a health benefit line or extra wages.
- Keep your own record of hours and tips.
- Report it. The City of Los Angeles Office of Wage Standards enforces the hotel wage, and you can also talk to a lawyer about a claim. Run your numbers with our wage and hour calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is the $30 hotel wage in effect now?
No. As of 2026, the hotel rate is $25.00 an hour plus a health benefit payment. The $30 rate takes effect January 1, 2030, under the amended ordinance.
Does the hotel wage apply outside the City of Los Angeles?
No. Some nearby cities set their own hotel worker wages, so check your city’s rules.
Can my employer cut my hours because of the raise?
Generally yes, but it must pay the full rate for every hour worked, and cuts aimed at workers who complained may be retaliation.
Are LAX restaurant and catering workers covered?
Often. News reports describe the airport wage as covering businesses at LAX such as food vendors and airline caterers. Coverage depends on your employer’s agreement with the airport, so check with Los Angeles World Airports or a lawyer.
Talk to a California employment lawyer
Employees First Labor Law represents workers exclusively. If you work at a Los Angeles hotel or at LAX and think you’re being paid below the required rate, we offer free virtual consultations. Contact us or call (310) 853-3461.
This article is general information about California law as of 2026, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
