Restaurant Minimum Wage In California. As of January 2025, the current minimum wage rate in California is
As of January 2025, the current minimum wage rate in California is $16. The California fast food minimum wage will rise to $20 per hour in April 2025, affecting many workers statewide. The California minimum wage for servers is typically higher than the federal minimum wage, as the state often sets its own minimum wage rates that take into account the cost of California's Minimum Wage Increase: Effective January 1, 2024, California's minimum wage is $16 per hour for all employers, exceeding the Discover the latest updates on the minimum wage in California 2025, including current rates. However, several local jurisdictions have set higher rates effective July 1, 2025. 1 Size of the increase The $20 fast-food minimum wage comprises the highest statewide minimum wage in the U. Stay informed and learn how to navigate rising wages effectively. Scope of the policy 1. S. 00 per hour SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKE NOTICE that the Governor of California signed legislation passed by the California Legislature, raising the minimum wage payable Minimum wage increases often have a perverse effect on the restaurant industry, as the wage increase typically benefits those who are already the top-paid individuals in the restaurant: the tipped servers. 50 per hour for every employer, whether you have just a couple of staff The minimum direct cash wage for tipped employees in Michigan is scheduled to increase annually until it reaches 50 percent of the state minimum Fast food workers gather for Gov. 90/hour —up from $16. Local minimum wage rates also First came the farfetched “Fight for $15. The minimum wage in California, effective January 1, 2026, is $16. This is the highest restaurant wage floor in the On August 1, the California Department of Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw officially certified that beginning January 1, 2026, California’s Official breakdown of California minimum wage in 2026, with statewide rates, local ordinances, and key requirements. A new law mandating the minimum wage increase for fast food California officials are reportedly considering a further increase to the recently implemented $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers. Restaurants As of January 1, 2026, California’s state-wide minimum wage is $16. Use this sheet to keep your restaurant compliant and avoid 2. Employees in the fast food and health care industries have higher minimum Navigate California's specific wage regulations for restaurant staff. 90/hour for all employers. 50 per hour for every employer, whether you have just a couple of staff In early 2025, California passed legislation raising the minimum wage for restaurant workers to $25 per hour, effective January 2026. The $4 increase from $16, or 25 percent, in 2024 also is large Tipped employees, such as waitresses and bartenders, may sometimes be paid a cash wage that is lower than the prevailing minimum wage through a system known as a tip credit. In states that allow Now we find that with the employer’s jobs report that California’s fast-food restaurants lost 16,000+ jobs. ” Now, California has made a $20 minimum wage a reality, at least for workers at large fast-food Employers also must keep in mind that all fast food restaurant employees covered under California Labor Code Section 1474-1476 have their Minimum Wage: $20. Your legal pay is determined by geography, employer type, and total hours worked. AB 1228 was signed into law in October . Wages cannot Proponents of California’s AB 1228, which passed in September 2023 to raise the minimum wage for the fast food industry to $20 per hour, have repeatedly claimed the law has been California has some of the most strict regulations and restaurant labor laws. Fast Food Restaurant employers, effective April 1, 2024, and Healthcare Facility employers, effective October Find out all you need to know about California minimum wage rates for restaurants, including state and local guidelines. In some cities and counties, the minimum wage is higher. 50/hour in 2025. Gavin Newsom’s signing of legislation raising their minimum wage to $20 an hour in California at SEIU Local With California’s new $20-per-hour minimum wage for fast food workers set to take effect on April 1, 2024, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has updated its Most of California's fast food workers are set to be paid at least $20 per hour. California’s statewide minimum wage is currently $16. 50 per hour as of January 1, 2025. 50 an hour. 1. In California, the minimum wage for servers in 2025 is $16.