10 California cities just raised minimum wages. Where can workers earn more?
It’s no secret that California is one of the most expensive states to live in the nation.
Several cities in California recently raised their minimum wages in an effort to help workers keep up with inflation.
The new hourly pay rates officially took affect Tuesday, July 1.
Here’s where:
What is the statewide minimum wage in California?
In 2025, California’s statewide minimum wage increased to $16.50 per hour, which was a 50-cent increase from 2024.
Since 2017, when businesses with more than 25 employees were required to pay at least $10.50 an hour, the state minimum wage has gone up by $6, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Although voters rejected a November ballot measure to raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour — with 51% voting against it — several industries and cities across California already pay more than the state minimum.
How much do fast food workers earn per hour in California?
In 2024, fast food workers in California, which includes more than 60 establishments offering “limited-service” — began earning a minimum of $20 per hour.
Some health care workers now earn a higher minimum wage that ranges up to $25 an hour, depending on where they work and the type of facility.
Additionally, several California cities, including San Diego, West Hollywood and Los Angeles began offering a higher minimum wage than the state as of Jan. 1, according to the UC Berkeley Labor Center. These cities have a minimum wage above $17 per hour.
Where is hourly pay increasing in California?
Several cities in California are raising their minimum wages starting Tuesday, July 1.
In Alameda, the minimum wage will increase from $17 to $17.46 per hour.
Workers will begin making at least $18.20 per hour in Milpitas, which is a 50-cent increase from the previous minimum wage.
Berkeley and San Francisco, which both previously has a minimum wage of $18.67, will raise their hourly rates to $19.18.
On Tuesday, July 1, Santa Monica raised its minimum wage from $17.27 per hour to $17.81.
While the city of Los Angeles will increase its minimum wage by 59 cents to $17.87, the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County will raise its from $17.27 to $17.81.
Fremont’s minimum wage will rise to $17.75 from the previous $17.30 per hour.
In Pasadena, the minimum wage will increase from $17.50 to $18.04 per hour.
Among the cities increasing their minimum wage, Emeryville will have the highest wage increase, going from $19.36 to $19.90 per hour.
Which California cities and counties pay more than $16.50 an hour?
According to the UC Berkeley Labor Center, these cities and counties offer a minimum wage above the statewide $16.50 per hour, as of tuesday, July 1:
- Alameda — $17.46 per hour
- Belmont — $18.30
- Berkeley — $19.18
- Burlingame — $17.43
- Cupertino — $18.20
- Daly City — $17.07
- East Palo Alto — $17.45
- El Cerrito — $18.34
- Emeryville — $19.90
- Foster City — $17.39
- Fremont — $17.75
- Half Moon Bay — $17.47
- Hayward — $17.36
- Los Altos — $18.20
- Los Angeles — $17.87
- Los Angeles County (Unincorporated areas) — $17.81
- Malibu — $17.27
- Menlo Park — $17.10
- Milpitas — $18.20
- Mountain View — $19.20
- Novato — $17
- Oakland — $16.89
- Palo Alto — $18.20
- Pasadena — $18.04
- Petaluma — $17.97
- Redwood City — $18.20
- Richmond — $17.77
- San Carlos — $17.32
- San Diego — $17.25
- San Francisco — $19.18
- San Jose — $17.95
- San Mateo — $17.95
- San Mateo County (unincorporated areas) — $17.46
- Santa Clara — $18.20
- Santa Monica — $17.81
- Santa Rosa — $17.87
- Sonoma — $18.02
- South San Francisco — $17.70
- Sunnyvale — $19
- West Hollywood — $19.65
This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 1:22 PM with the headline "10 California cities just raised minimum wages. Where can workers earn more?."
