The minimum wage in California is $16.50/hour as of 2026. See the tipped wage, scheduled increases, annual income at minimum wage, and how it compares to the federal poverty level.
| Category | Rate / Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Minimum Wage | $16.50/hour |
| Tipped Minimum Wage | Full minimum wage (no tip credit) |
| Federal Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour (FLSA) |
| Scheduled Increases | Indexed to CPI; $20 for fast food |
| Full-Time Annual (2,080 hrs) | $34,320/year |
| Part-Time Annual (30 hrs/wk) | $25,740/year |
| As % of Federal Poverty Level (1 person) | 219% of FPL ($15,650) |
| Source | U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division; California Dept. of Labor |
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage.
California's minimum wage is $16.50/hour in 2026. California does not allow a tipped minimum wage — all workers receive the full minimum. Fast food workers at chains with 60+ locations have a separate $20/hour minimum. Healthcare workers have a phased $25/hour minimum. Local minimum wages in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities may be higher.
The federal poverty guideline for a single person in 2026 is $15,650/year. At California's minimum wage of $16.50/hour, a full-time worker earns $34,320/year — 219% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the poverty guideline is $32,150/year; full-time minimum wage earnings represent 107% of that threshold.
| Work Schedule | Gross Annual Income at $16.50/hr | vs. Federal Poverty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (40 hrs/wk) | $34,320/year | 219% of single FPL |
| Part-time (30 hrs/wk) | $25,740/year | 164% of single FPL |
| Part-time (20 hrs/wk) | $17,160/year | 110% of single FPL |
| Federal Poverty (1 person) | $15,650/year | 100% |
| Federal Poverty (family of 4) | $32,150/year | N/A |
The minimum wage in California is $16.50/hour as of 2026. A full-time worker at minimum wage earns $34,320/year gross before taxes. California's minimum wage is $16.50/hour in 2026. California does not allow a tipped minimum wage — all workers receive the full minimum. Fast food workers at chains with 60+ locations have a separate $20/hour minimum. Healthcare workers have a phased $25/hour minimum. Local minimum wages in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities may be higher.
The tipped minimum wage in California is Full minimum wage (no tip credit). Employers who pay the tipped minimum must ensure that tips received by the employee are sufficient to bring total compensation to at least $16.50/hour. If tips are insufficient, the employer must pay the difference (called a tip credit makeup).
Scheduled increases: Indexed to CPI; $20 for fast food. Check the California Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for the most current information, as minimum wage schedules can change with new legislation or ballot measures.
At $16.50/hour, full-time earnings of $34,320/year represent 219% of the federal poverty level for a single person. MIT's Living Wage Calculator estimates that a living wage in most California counties ranges from $18 to $35/hour depending on family size and local housing costs. Minimum wage alone is generally insufficient to cover basic living expenses in most of California without government assistance or additional income.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It has not increased since July 24, 2009 — the longest period without a federal minimum wage increase in history. When state minimum wages exceed the federal minimum, the higher state rate applies to covered workers. In California, the applicable minimum wage is $16.50/hour.