Work & Employment · Pay and hours
Minimum wage and overtime in California
In this guide
- The statewide minimum wage is $16.90 per hour in 2026 and $17.40 from January 1, 2027, and many cities set higher rates.
- California requires overtime after 8 hours in a day, not only after 40 in a week.
- Exempt status depends on both job duties and a minimum salary.
Minimum wage
Since January 1, 2026, California’s statewide minimum wage is $16.90 per hour for all employers. It rises to $17.40 per hour on January 1, 2027. Many cities and counties set higher local minimums. Some industries have their own minimums, including covered fast food restaurant employees (at least $20 per hour since April 2024) and certain health care workers.
Overtime
- 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 8 in a workday or 40 in a workweek, and for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
- Double the regular rate for hours over 12 in a workday and over 8 on the seventh consecutive day.
The “regular rate” can include more than the hourly wage, such as some bonuses and commissions.
Exempt employees
Some employees are “exempt” from overtime. For the common executive, administrative, and professional exemptions, the job duties must meet specific tests and the salary must be at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time work. A job title alone does not make someone exempt.
Figures for 2026 and 2027
- Statewide minimum wage: $16.90 per hour in 2026; $17.40 from January 1, 2027
- Minimum salary for common exemptions: $70,304 per year in 2026; $72,384 in 2027 (2 × minimum wage × 2,080 hours)
Common questions
Are tips counted toward minimum wage?
No. California does not allow employers to count tips toward the minimum wage.
Official sources for this guide
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