Alongside establishing a first-in-the nation Fast Food Council, the state raised the minimum wage for California fast food workers to $20/hour effective April 1, 2024. The $20 minimum wage represents a $4 increase, making it the largest minimum wage increase in recent U.S. history.
The minimum wage in California, effective January 1, 2025, is $16.50/hour for all employers.
Local Exceptions Minimum WageTipped Wage Alameda $17.00 $17.00 Belmont $18.30 $18.30 Berkeley $18.67 $18.67 Burlingame $17.43 $17.4347 more rows
California City and County Minimum Wage Effective JurisdictionLarge Employers (26+ Employees)Small Employers (25 or fewer Employees) Alameda source $17.00 $17.00 Belmont source $18.30 $18.30 Berkeley source $18.67 $18.67 Burlingame source $17.43 $17.4340 more rows
Local Exceptions Minimum WageTipped Wage Alameda $17.00 $17.00 Belmont $18.30 $18.30 Berkeley $18.67 $18.67 Burlingame $17.43 $17.4347 more rows
You can file your claim by email, mail or in person, download a claim form, complete and print it, attach applicable documents and mail to the Labor Commissioner's Office. The claim forms and instructions can be downloaded and printed in multiple languages.
On January 1, 2025, California's state minimum wage will increase to $16.50 per hour for all employers. As previously described, California voters rejected Proposition 32, a stair-step-increased minimum wage initiative. The $16.50 minimum wage rate applies to all employees, subject to a few limited exceptions.