Raising the Bar: California’s Recent Statewide and Local Minimum Wage Increases Explained

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  • Raising the Bar: California’s Recent Statewide and Local Minimum Wage Increases Explained

Egg prices are seemingly continually on the rise.  Luckily, for some workers, the minimum wage has also risen again. Employers in California should also be aware that there has been an increase in the minimum wage required statewide.  

California’s statewide minimum wage increased to $16.50 per hour, starting January 1, 2025.  Also, as of January 1st, exempt employees in California must be paid a minimum annual salary of $68,640.  These recent increases are attributable to inflation. Employers should make sure they are in compliance with these minimum requirements.  

Additionally, employers in applicable locales must comply with city and county minimum wage laws, which may be more generous than their federal or state counterparts.  Many localities in California have decided to implement further minimum wage increases.  These additional increases range from the $16.89 wage required in Oakland, to $19.65, as mandated by West Hollywood.  It is important that employers in these localities ensure they have implemented any required increases for their current minimum wage employees.  Although there are some exceptions, most employees in California must be paid the minimum wage.  Failure to do so could subject the employer to liability for wage and hour claims, and representative claims under the Private Attorneys General Act.   

UC Berkeley maintains a helpful table providing figures regarding California localities and their minimum wage requirements as of July 1, 2025. The full table for all California localities can be found at https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/inventory-of-us-city-and-county-minimum-wage-ordinances/#s-2. MNK Law has excerpted those with recent changes, in the chart below.  

Employers must also ensure their minimum wage bulletin postings are updated appropriately to reflect state and local increases.  California’s Department of Industrial Relations requires employers to post information related to wages, hours and working conditions in an area frequented by employees where it may be easily read during the workday. 

Anytime an employer needs an advisory as to state and local requirements and compliance therewith, MNK Law is here to help.  Employees that have doubts or concerns about certain rights and where they stand in California’s requirements, may contact MNK Law for further guidance.  

Belmont  1/1/2025  $18.30  
Burlingame  1/1/2025  $17.43  
Cupertino  1/1/2025  $18.20  
Daly City  1/1/2025  $17.07  
East Palo Alto  1/1/2025  $17.45  
El Cerrito  1/1/2025  $18.34  
Foster City  1/1/2025  $17.39  
Half Moon Bay  1/1/2025  $17.47  
Hayward  1/1/2025  $17.36  
Los Altos  1/1/2025  $18.20  
Menlo Park  1/1/2025  $17.10  
Mountain View  1/1/2025  $19.20  
Novato  1/1/2025  $17.00  
Oakland  1/1/2025  $16.89  
Palo Alto  1/1/2025  $18.20  
Petaluma  1/1/2025  $17.97  
Redwood City  1/1/2025  $18.20  
Richmond  1/1/2025  $17.77  
San Carlos  1/1/2025  $17.32  
San Diego  1/1/2025  $17.25  
San Jose  1/1/2025  $17.95  
San Mateo  1/1/2025  $17.95  
San Mateo County (unincorporated)  1/1/2025  $17.46  
Santa Clara  1/1/2025  $18.20  
Santa Monica  7/1/2024  $17.27  
Santa Rosa  1/1/2024  $17.87  
Sonoma  1/1/2025  $18.02  
South San Francisco  1/1/2025  $17.70  
Sunnyvale  1/1/2025  $19.00  
West Hollywood  1/1/2025  $19.65  
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