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California Minimum Wage in 2024

Employer handing pennies to employee

The federal minimum wage of $7.25 has not changed since 2009, but since 2017, the minimum wage in California has been rising every year, and roughly 20 other states across the country are now following suit. These increases have been brought about by newly enacted state legislature and by state residents voting for increases in local minimum wage around the country.

Minimum Wage Laws in California

As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage in California has been set at $16.00 per hour for all employers, regardless of the size of the business. This represents a continuation of the state’s effort to adjust wages in response to economic conditions and the cost of living.

2024 County-Specific Minimum Wage Laws in California

Different areas of California have an even higher minimum wage for businesses of different sizes. For example, the minimum wage in Los Angeles is up to $16.00/hour, though it’s important to note that some cities and counties in California have set even higher minimum wages based on local ordinances and cost of living considerations. For instance, certain cities within California may have minimum wages as high as $18.00 per hour or more.

County Minimum Wage as of January 1st, 2024
Belmont $17.35
Cupertino $17.75
Daly City $16.62
El Cerrito $17.92
Los Altos $17.75
Menlo Park $16.70
Mountain View $18.75
Novato $16.86 (for businesses with 100+ employees)
$16.60 (for businesses with 26-99 employees)
Oakland $15.97
Palo Alto $17.80
Petaluma $16.00
$17.45
Redwood City $17.70
San Diego $16.85
San Jose $17.55
San Mateo $17.35
Santa Clara $17.75
Sonoma $17.60 (for businesses with 26 or more employees)
$16.56 (for businesses with 1-25 employees)
South San Francisco $17.25
Sunnyvale $18.55
County Minimum Wage as of July 1st, 2024
Alameda $16.52
Berkeley $18.07
Emeryville $18.67
Fremont $16.00
$16.80
Los Angeles (City & Unincorporated) $15.96
$16.78
Malibu $16.00
$16.90
Milpitas $17.20
Novato $16.86 (for businesses with 100+ employees)
$16.60 (for businesses with 26-99 employees)
$16.00 (1-25 employees)
Pasadena $16.93(>26 employees)
$15.00(1-25 employees)
San Francisco $18.07
San Leandro $15.50
Santa Monica $16.90(>26 employees)
$16.00 (1-25 employees)
Santa Rosa $17.45(>26 employees)
$16.00(1-25 employees)

Current Schedule of Statewide Minimum Wage Increases in California by Year

From 2017 to 2024, California has a schedule of when they plan to increase the minimum wages for companies of different sizes. This is what the schedule is currently looking like:

Minimum Wage in California
Year ≤ 25 Employees > 26 Employees
2017 $10.00/hour $10.50/hour
2018 $10.50/hour $11.00/hour
2019 $11.00/hour $12.00/hour
2020 $12.00/hour $13.00/hour
2021 $13.00/hour $14.00/hour
2022 $14.00/hour $15.00/hour
2023 $15.50/hour $15.50/hour
2024 $16.00/hour $16.00/hour

Exceptions to the Minimum Wage Law in California

Not all employees are subject to the minimum wage law, but the salary for exempt employees must be a fixed & guaranteed amount. When it comes to proving that an employee is exempt, the employer is the one who is responsible for providing evidence of this.

Groups that are exempt from this law include parents, spouses, or children of the employer, external sales teams, and indentured apprentices legally allowed under the State Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Under Labor codes 1191 & 1191.5, employees who have a mental or physical disability, or companies that employ disabled workers, a special license must be issued by California’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement authorizing that an employee can work for less than the state’s minimum wage.

Employees who receive tips are also subject to a different minimum wage that is determined by the state. For example, tipped workers earn only $2.35/hour in New Mexico, $9/hour in Arizona, and $8.98/hour in Colorado.

There is also a specific rule for learners, or those who have no previous work experience of a similar nature, that they must be paid at least 85% of the minimum wage during their first 160 hours of work.

Exempt Employee Requirements in California

For an employee in California to be able to be considered exempt, they must meet specific requirements set by the state. These include:

  • An employee must not earn a salary less than twice the state’s minimum wage for full-time employment. As per the current 2024 guidelines, the formula for determining this threshold is 2 times the state’s minimum wage multiplied by 2,080 (the number of hours in a full-time work year). Specifically, California employees on salary in 2024 cannot receive less than $67,040 annually for companies with more than 26 employees and less than $61,760 annually for companies with 26 or fewer employees. This translates to a minimum monthly salary of $5,580 for companies with 26 or fewer workers and a minimum of $6,920 for companies with more than 26 workers.
  • If an employee spends over half of their working time performing duties that are considered to be exempt, they can be considered as exempt employees.
  • For internal salespeople, they are considered to be exempt as long as they make over 150% of the state’s minimum wage and over 50% of their earnings come from commission. To satisfy this requirement for exemption, an internal salesperson would have to make over $18.00/hour for companies with less than 26 employees and over $19.50/hour for companies with more than 26 employees.

California Minimum Wage Frequently Asked Questions

Can Employees for Less Than the Minimum Wage Willingly?

Without fitting into one of the exception groups, employees cannot work for an employer in the state of California for less than the minimum wage even if they agree to what they’re being paid. This is in accordance with Civil Code Sections 3513 and 1668. Whether the state or federal minimum wage is higher, an employer has to stick to whichever one pays the most. Since many state & city minimum wages are higher than the federally set one, many employees are paid in recognition of the state or city’s law rather than the federal minimum wage.

What Happens When an Employer Pays Less Than the Minimum Wage?

If an employer is not willing to pay their employees the minimum wage required by the law, then the employee(s) can file a wage claim with the Labor Commissioner’s Office, or they can file a lawsuit against the employer to recover lost earnings. When a wage claim is filed, the case is investigated by a local division of the Labor office which will then culminate in a hearing or a dismissal of the claim. The entire process can be appealed by either party, leading to a court trial where both sides can present evidence & witnesses, but the case cannot be decided on the basis of testimony & evidence alone.

If an employer refuses to pay after the court determines that they were in the wrong, then a judgment can be passed by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to collect what is owed from them. Furthermore, if an employer chooses to retaliate after an employee files such a suit over lost earnings, a different type of lawsuit based on employer discrimination or retaliation can be filed against the employer. A workplace discrimination lawyer can help you build your case if you believe discrimination was a factor in the retaliation or termination.

Do Tips Count Towards Minimum Wage?

Tips do not count toward the minimum wage and it is illegal for an employer to count tips as part of their obligation to pay an employee’s minimum wage.

Is There Any Difference Between Minimum Wage for Minors or Adults?

Whether an employee is a minor or adult, they are all subject to the same federal and state minimum wage laws unless they fit a specific exception.

Which Other States are Increasing Their Minimum Wage This Year?

Other states in the process of increasing their minimum wage include:

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • Washington

Contact an Experienced Employment Law Attorney at Heidari Law Group Today

If you’re looking for more information about California’s employment laws such as minimum wage, get in touch with a seasoned employment law attorney who can help guide you in the right direction. Contact us today at 1-833-225-5454 or info@heidarlawgroup.com for a free case evaluation with Heidari Law Group in Los Angeles, Irvine, or Sacramento.

Sam Heidari

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