California Minimum Wage 2026: $16.50/hr Calculator

How California Minimum Wage Compares to the Federal Rate

California's 2026 minimum wage of $16.50 per hour is $9.25 above the $7.25 federal minimum. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not changed since 2009, meaning workers in states like California rely on state law for meaningful wage floors.

At $16.50/hr working full-time (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year), a California worker earns $34,320.00 gross annually. That equals $660.00 per week and roughly $2,860.00 per month.

These figures are gross (before taxes). Your take-home pay will be lower after federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) deductions. Use our California Income Tax Calculator for a net-pay estimate.

Last updated: May 2026. Rates sourced from the California Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.

Tipped Workers in California

The tipped minimum wage in California is $16.50 per hour in 2026. This is the same as the regular minimum wage — California does not allow a tipped credit.

Tipped workers covered by California law include restaurant servers, bartenders, valets, and other service workers who regularly receive tips. Always check your pay stub to ensure your employer is meeting the full minimum wage requirement.

Note: No tipped wage diff; some cities higher (sf $18.67).

California Wage Increase Schedule

The 2026 minimum wage for California is $16.50/hr. Here is what workers and employers should know about upcoming changes: No tipped wage diff; some cities higher (sf $18.67).

Employers must post the current California minimum wage notice at their place of business. Violations can result in back-pay orders and civil penalties. Workers who believe they are being underpaid can file a complaint with the California Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor.

Bookmark this page — we update California wage data each time the state announces a new rate, including CPI-indexed adjustments.