Minimum Wage by StateAs of 2026-06-24
CARate history

California minimum wage history

Every standard minimum wage step in California on the timeline below, with the statute or ballot measure behind each adjustment.[CA labor dept.][BLS CPI]

California step-by-step

  1. 1996-03-01$4.75
  2. 2001-01-01$6.25
  3. 2007-01-01$7.50
  4. 2008-01-01$8.00
  5. 2014-07-01$9.00
    AB 10 (2013) first step
  6. 2016-01-01$10.00
  7. 2017-01-01$10.50
    SB 3 (2016) phase-in begins for 26+ employers
  8. 2018-01-01$11.00
  9. 2019-01-01$12.00
  10. 2020-01-01$13.00
  11. 2021-01-01$14.00
  12. 2022-01-01$15.00
    SB 3 completed for large employers
  13. 2023-01-01$15.50
    First CPI-W adjustment under Lab. Code 1182.12(c)
  14. 2024-01-01$16.00
  15. 2025-01-01$16.50
  16. 2026-01-01$16.50
    Held at 16.50; CPI-W under cap

Reading the rail

The wage shown is the standard rate for covered employers on the effective date. Sub-minimum rates for tipped workers, small employers, or trainees are not shown here; see /states/california for current carve-outs. Real-wage trajectory in 2026 dollars lives at /real-wage.