Santa Monica Minimum Wage 2026
The minimum wage in Santa Monica, CA is $17.27/hr ($0.77 above the $16.50 California state minimum). Santa Monica mirrors the unincorporated LA County rate. Hotel workers have a higher industry-specific minimum that adjusts separately.
Santa Monica vs. California vs. federal
Santa Monica sets a higher floor than California law ($16.50/hr statewide) and well above the federal minimum of $7.25/hr. When city, state, and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the highest rate for hours worked inside Santa Monica city limits. Workers earning at the Santa Monica minimum make $10.02 more per hour than the federal floor.
What this means for hiring in Santa Monica
A higher local wage means every hour of a bad hire costs more. The cost of replacing an hourly worker typically runs 30% of first-year wages, and in Santa Monica that number sits well above what it would be elsewhere in California. That's why employers here are moving away from resume-only screening toward seeing real proof of skill before they bring someone on.
On Vetano, every candidate in Santa Monica is ID-verified and shows their skills on video before you ever see their profile, so you spend your Santa Monica minimum-wage hours on people who can actually do the job.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Santa Monica?+
$17.27 per hour as of 2026-07-26. Santa Monica mirrors the unincorporated LA County rate. Hotel workers have a higher industry-specific minimum that adjusts separately.
Is Santa Monica's minimum wage higher than California's state minimum?+
Yes. Santa Monica requires $17.27/hr, compared to $16.50/hr statewide. The higher rate applies to work performed within city limits.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica requires the full local minimum for tipped workers, before tips.
Is Santa Monica's minimum wage going up?+
No scheduled increases at this time.
Hiring hourly workers in Santa Monica?
Post a job on Vetano and reach ID-verified candidates in Santa Monica who show their skills on video. First 30 days free.
Free for talent to get hired. Talent Pro ($79/mo) is optional for gig work, and Vetano never takes a cut of what workers earn.
Other city minimum wages
Cities where the local minimum exceeds the state rate. Also see the full state wage index.