The start of the year brought a minimum wage increase to all of California, but some local jurisdictions will see another increase starting July 1.
The new year brought new laws that went into effect on Jan. 1, along with the statewide wage increase.
As of 2024, qualifying fast-food and health care workers were required to be paid above the minimum wage, with most fast-food workers starting at $20 per hour, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Local jurisdictions such as cities or counties can decide their minimum wage in some instances. Some across California have decided to implement their own above the statewide minimum of $16.90 starting on July 1.
Who gets a wage increase?
SB 3 was signed into law by then Gov. Jerry Brown in 2014, which raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2023. Since then California has been adjusting its minimum wage differently each year.
The yearly wage increase is adjusted annually for inflation based on the national consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, the Department of Industrial Relations says. The highest allowed in any one year is 3.5%.
At the start of 2026, California’s statewide minimum wage increased from $16.50 to $16.90 per hour. However, certain cities have their own specific local ordinance that requires minimum wage increases.
These cities will see their increases start on July 1:
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Will your paycheck increase on July 1? Here’s what to know
Reporting by Ernesto Centeno Araujo and Noe Padilla, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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By Ernesto Centeno Araujo and Noe Padilla, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
