In this guide6 sections
In 2025, California’s statewide minimum wage was $16.50 an hour, the City of Los Angeles rate rose to $17.87 on July 1, 2025, and unincorporated Los Angeles County rose to $17.81. Those rates have since gone up again. As of 2026, the state minimum is $16.90, the City of Los Angeles is $18.42 and unincorporated L.A. County is $18.47, with the state rate set to reach $17.40 on January 1, 2027. If more than one rate applies to your job, you are owed the highest one.
Key takeaways
- California’s minimum wage is $16.90 an hour as of January 1, 2026, and is scheduled to rise to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
- The City of Los Angeles minimum wage has been $18.42 since July 1, 2026; hotel and airport workers have separate, higher rates.
- Fast food and health care workers have their own statewide minimums, and many cities set higher local rates.
- You are owed the highest rate that applies, and you can recover unpaid wages with interest through the Labor Commissioner or in court.
2025 rates vs. current rates
| Rate | 2025 | Current (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| California statewide | $16.50 (Jan. 1, 2025) | $16.90 (Jan. 1, 2026); $17.40 scheduled Jan. 1, 2027 |
| City of Los Angeles | $17.87 (July 1, 2025) | $18.42 (July 1, 2026) |
| Unincorporated L.A. County | $17.81 (July 1, 2025) | $18.47 (July 1, 2026) |
| Exempt employee minimum salary (state) | $68,640 a year | $70,304 a year (2026); $72,384 in 2027 |
| Fast food (national chains) | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Health care, large systems and dialysis clinics | $24.00 (July 1, 2025) | $25.00 (July 1, 2026) |
The state rate and exempt salary threshold are announced by the Department of Industrial Relations, which confirmed the $17.40 rate for 2027 in August 2026. Health care rates vary by type of facility; see the Labor Commissioner’s health care minimum wage FAQ.
Other cities in L.A. County, such as Pasadena, Santa Monica and West Hollywood, set their own rates, and the City of Los Angeles has separate wages for many hotel and airport workers. Look up your city on our California minimum wage by city tool, and see California minimum wage increases for 2026 for more on this year’s changes.
Which minimum wage applies to you
Several laws can apply to the same job: the state minimum, an industry minimum (fast food or health care) and a city or county ordinance. Your employer must pay the highest rate that applies to the work you do. A local ordinance generally depends on where you perform the work, not where your employer is headquartered.
Example (hypothetical): Ana works as a cashier at a grocery store in the City of Los Angeles. On July 1, 2026, her minimum rose from $17.87 to $18.42. If her pay stub still shows $17.87 for hours worked after that date, she is short $0.55 for every hour, plus any effect on her overtime rate.
A higher minimum wage also raises the floor for salaried exempt employees. Under state law, most exempt employees must earn at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time work, or $70,304 a year in 2026. If your salary falls below that, you may be owed overtime. See misclassified as exempt.
What to do if you’re paid below minimum wage
- Check your pay stubs. California pay stubs must show your hours and each hourly rate. Compare them with the rate for your city and industry.
- Keep your own record of hours. Your employer can’t stop you from tracking your hours.
- Raise it in writing if you feel safe doing so. Some errors are payroll mistakes that get fixed quickly.
- File a claim. You can file a wage claim with the Labor Commissioner; City of Los Angeles workers can also contact the city’s Office of Wage Standards. California labor laws protect workers regardless of immigration status.
Under Labor Code §1194, you can recover the unpaid balance, interest, and attorney’s fees and costs, even if you agreed to work for less. Wage claims generally must be filed within three years. If you’ve left the job and your final pay was short, waiting-time penalties of up to 30 days’ wages may also apply. Your employer can’t retaliate against you for complaining about pay (Labor Code §98.6). Estimate what you’re owed with our wage and hour calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Los Angeles right now?
In the City of Los Angeles, $18.42 an hour since July 1, 2026. In unincorporated L.A. County, $18.47. Other cities in the county may differ.
When does the minimum wage go up next?
The state rate rises to $17.40 on January 1, 2027. The City of Los Angeles and unincorporated L.A. County adjust each July 1.
Does the minimum wage apply to tipped workers?
Yes. California doesn’t allow a tip credit, so tips can’t count toward the minimum wage.
Can I recover underpayments from 2025?
Generally yes. Most wage claims can reach back three years from the date you file.
Talk to a California employment lawyer
Employees First Labor Law represents workers exclusively in wage and hour cases across California. We offer free virtual consultations to review your pay stubs and options. Contact us online 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.
