Minimum wage in California and Bay Area cities

The minimum wage protects you, whatever your immigration status. This page is general information, not legal advice.

What is the minimum wage in California?

In 2026 the California minimum wage is $16.90 an hour for every employer, of any size. On January 1, 2027, it goes up to $17.40 an hour. The state announced the 2027 rate on August 13, 2026.

That is the floor anywhere in the state. Many cities set a higher rate, and some jobs have a higher rate of their own. When more than one rate fits your job, your employer must pay the highest one.

What is the minimum wage in my city?

Go by the city where you do the work, not where you live or where the company has its office. Each rate below was checked on the city's or county's own page on October 18, 2026. The Burlingame rate comes from San Mateo County's labor standards office, which enforces Burlingame's minimum wage.

San Mateo County

Santa Clara County

All of these rates started January 1, 2026. Most cities raise their rate every January 1, based on the cost of living. Several cities say they post the next year's rate in the fall, so check back in November and December for 2027.

Do fast food workers get more?

Yes. Since April 1, 2024, workers at many fast food restaurants must be paid at least $20.00 an hour. As of October 18, 2026, the state's official page still lists $20.00. We found no raise on that page for 2026.

This rate covers you if your restaurant:

• is a counter service restaurant, where people order and pay before they eat
• is part of a chain with at least 60 locations across the country
• mainly sells food and drinks to eat right away

Workers at franchise locations are covered too. Some places are left out, such as some bakeries, restaurants inside grocery stores, and some restaurants in airports and hotels. If your city rate is higher than $20.00, you get the city rate.

• Fast food minimum wage questions and answers (California Labor Commissioner)

Do health care workers get more?

Yes, at many health care workplaces. The rate depends on the type of place you work. It covers many workers there, not only nurses and doctors. Rates went up on July 1, 2026.

Some workplaces fit more than one group, and some, like many nursing homes not run by a hospital, are not covered yet. Not sure which group fits your job? Read the state's questions and answers or ask a clinic.

• Health care worker minimum wage questions and answers (California Labor Commissioner)

What if I get tips?

Tips are extra. Your employer must pay you the full minimum wage for every hour, and your tips come on top. Your employer cannot count your tips toward your pay. Some other states allow this. California does not.

• Your tips belong to you, not to your employer.

• Tip pools are allowed, but owners, managers and supervisors may not take money from them.

• Tips paid by card must reach you by the next regular payday.

• No card fees: your employer cannot take credit card processing fees out of your tips.

• Service charges on a bill may or may not count as tips. It depends on whether customers see the charge as a tip.

• Tips and gratuities (California Labor Commissioner)

What if I was paid less?

You may be owed the difference for every hour you worked. Being shorted is stressful, and it is not your fault. Here is what to do.

1. Write it down. Keep a record of your days, hours and pay in a notebook or on your own phone. Save pay stubs, texts and photos of schedules. See What should I write down?
2. Check the math. Use the Check your pay worksheet below.
3. Talk with a free clinic about your choices and any risks before you file. See Who can help?
4. File a claim with the California Labor Commissioner. You do not need a lawyer. Our guide How to file a wage claim walks you through each step. For most unpaid wages, you can ask for pay going back three years.
5. In parts of San Mateo County, the county's Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement also enforces the local minimum wage. It covers unincorporated San Mateo County and the cities of Belmont, Burlingame, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Menlo Park, Redwood City and San Mateo. Email olse@smcgov.org or call the free, confidential Labor Advice Hotline at 1-866-870-7725.

Who can help?

These are free public offices and nonprofit clinics. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• California Labor Commissioner: unpaid wages, tips and retaliation. Call 833-526-4636. How to file a wage claim (dir.ca.gov)
• San Mateo County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement: local minimum wage in unincorporated San Mateo County and seven cities that work with the county. Labor Advice Hotline 1-866-870-7725, olse@smcgov.org, 500 County Center, 5th Floor, Redwood City. About the office (smcgov.org)
• Legal Aid at Work: a free workers' rights clinic for people within its income limits, or age 60 and over, with help in Spanish and many other languages. To make an appointment from East Palo Alto, call (415) 404-9093. Workers' Rights Clinic (Legal Aid at Work)

Check your pay

We hope every hour of your hard work is paid in full. You are not asking for a favor. This is the law.