California Minimum Wage 2026
The minimum wage in California is $16.50/hr ($9.25 above the $7.25 federal minimum). Fast-food workers $20.00. Healthcare workers $18–$25 depending on facility.
What this means for hiring in California
The California minimum wage sets the floor for what you can legally pay hourly workers — but the real cost of hiring goes well past base pay. The cost of a bad hire (turnover, lost productivity, training a replacement) typically runs 30% of first-year wages. That's why employers are moving away from resume-only screening toward seeing real proof of skill before they bring someone on.
On Vetano, every candidate in California is ID-verified and shows their skills on video before you ever see their profile — so you spend your minimum-wage hours on people who can actually do the job.
Federal vs. California
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr. California has set a higher floor at $16.50/hr — when state and federal minimums differ, the higher one applies.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in California?+
$16.50 per hour as of 2026-05-15. Fast-food workers $20.00. Healthcare workers $18–$25 depending on facility.
What is the tipped minimum wage in California?+
California requires the full state minimum for tipped workers.
Is California's minimum wage going up?+
No scheduled increases at this time.
Minimum wage in every state
Browse 2026 rates for all 50 states + DC, or see the full wage index.