2024 California Minimum Wage
The 2024 California Minimum Wage is $16.
Effective 2024-01-01Source: Official Notice: California Minimum Wage MW-2024 (California Department of Industrial Relations)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2023
| Item | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $15.50 | $16 | +$0.50 (+3.2%) |
Who it applies to
All employers in California, regardless of the number of employees, with separate minimum-wage requirements for Fast Food Restaurant employers and Healthcare Facility employers set by other laws.
What changed this year, and why
California's statewide minimum wage increased to $16.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2024. The rate applies to all employers regardless of the number of employees.
Common questions
- When did the $16.00 minimum wage take effect?
- The minimum wage took effect on January 1, 2024. It applied to all employers regardless of the number of employees.
- Does the minimum wage differ by employer size?
- No. As of 2024, California's general minimum wage is a single rate for all employers regardless of size. The prior two-tier system based on employer size ended after 2023.
- Are there separate minimum wages for certain industries?
- Yes. The source document notes that separate minimum wages apply to Fast Food Restaurant employers (effective April 1, 2024) and Healthcare Facility employers (effective June 1, 2024). Those rates are set by separate legislation and are not covered by the general minimum wage order.
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
The $16.00 per hour figure is the statewide floor for California in 2024. Any city, county, or other local government in the state may set its own minimum wage above that amount, and in that case the local rate applies inside its borders. Workers in jurisdictions that have adopted a higher rate must be paid the local figure, not the state figure. Employers with operations in multiple California jurisdictions must track which rate applies at each worksite. The document notes that the full text of all applicable wage orders is available online at the Division of Industrial Relations website or from any local Division of Labor Standards Enforcement office.
or by contacting your local Division of Labor Standards Enforcement office.
Official Notice: California Minimum Wage MW-2024 (California Department of Industrial Relations)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Questions about enforcement of California's minimum wage should be directed to the Labor Commissioner's Office. The document states that "Questions about enforcement should be directed to the Labor Commissioner's Office. For the address and telephone number of the office nearest you, information can be found on the internet at www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE/dlse.html or under a search for 'California Labor Commissioner's Office' on the internet or any other directory." The Labor Commissioner has offices throughout California including Bakersfield, El Centro, Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Redding, Sacramento, Salinas, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa, Stockton, and Van Nuys. Workers in California who believe they are not being paid the required $16.00 per hour minimum wage should contact their nearest Division of Labor Standards Enforcement office to file a complaint or seek guidance on their rights.
Questions about enforcement should be directed to the Labor Commissioner's Office. For the address and telephone number of the office nearest you, information can be found on the internet at www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE/dlse.html or under a search for “California Labor Commissioner's Office” on the internet or any other directory.
Official Notice: California Minimum Wage MW-2024 (California Department of Industrial Relations)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
California allows employers to count the value of meals and lodging toward meeting the minimum wage obligation, but only under specific conditions. The document states that "When credit for meals or lodging is used to meet part of the employer's minimum wage obligation, the amounts so credited pursuant to a voluntary written agreement may not be more than the following" specified amounts listed in the poster's table. For 2024, the maximum weekly and monthly credit amounts vary by the type of lodging or meal provided. Critically, employers and employees must have a voluntary written agreement before any such credits can be applied. Without this written agreement, the value of meals or lodging cannot be counted toward satisfying California's $16 per hour minimum wage requirement. Employers in California who provide housing or meals to workers should review the full credit schedule and ensure they have proper written agreements in place.
When credit for meals or lodging is used to meet part of the employer's minimum wage obligation, the amounts so credited pursuant to a voluntary written agreement may not be more than the following
Official Notice: California Minimum Wage MW-2024 (California Department of Industrial Relations)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
California's minimum wage rate is not fixed permanently; the state adjusts it each year based on changes in the cost of living. The adjustment is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which tracks inflation. After calculating the change in the CPI-W, the state announces the new minimum wage rate, which then takes effect on January 1 of the following year. This annual adjustment ensures that the minimum wage keeps pace with inflation and maintains purchasing power for workers across California. Employers and employees should watch for the annual announcement to know what rate applies for the coming year.
Effective January 1, 2024 Minimum Wage: $16.00 per hour
Official Notice: California Minimum Wage MW-2024 (California Department of Industrial Relations)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Official Notice: California Minimum Wage MW-2024 (California Department of Industrial Relations)
- Hourly
Effective January 1, 2024 Minimum Wage: $16.00 per hour *See Sec. 2 below
Other years
Every California Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state