Hey Everyone!
NOTE: The information in this post is effective 7/1/2019. These wages will increase in 2020.
Unemployment is low and, for many, businesses are doing well. That doesn’t stop you from being worried about over-paying…or underpaying! If you pay too much, you may have difficulty sustaining the wage during a recession or slow down. If you pay too little, your employees may quit for better wages elsewhere. Don’t forget – the only thing worse than employees quitting and leaving is when an employee quits and stays! If an employee feels underpaid, they may work just barely enough to avoid being fired. That’s not good for you…or your customers.
That being said, for those positions that merit a minimum wage, be sure that you are paying at least that. The statewide minimum in California is $12.00 per hour, but many jurisdictions have raised the minimum wage. Here’s a helpful chart to help you remain compliant.
| Jurisdiction | Pre-July 1 Minimum Wage | July 1 Minimum Wage |
| Alameda | $13.50 | $15.00 |
| Berkeley | $15.00 | $15.59 |
| Emeryville: 56 or More Employees | $15.69 | $16.30 |
| Emeryville: 55 or Fewer Employees | $15.00 | $16.30 |
| Emeryville: Small Independent Restaurant | Not Applicable | $16.30 |
| Fremont | $12.00 (State Law) | $13.50 |
| 26 or More Employees | ||
| Long Beach: Hotel Ordinance | $14.64 | $14.97 |
| City of Los Angeles: 26 or More Employees | $13.25 | $14.25 |
| City of Los Angeles: 25 or Fewer Employees | $12.00 | $13.25 |
| City of Los Angeles: Hotel Ordinance | $16.10 | $16.63 |
| County of Los Angeles (Unincorporated: 26 or More Employees) | $13.25 | $14.25 |
| County of Los Angeles (Unincorporated: 25 or Fewer Employees) | $12.00 | $13.25 |
| Malibu: 26 or More Employees | $13.25 | $14.25 |
| Malibu: 25 or Fewer Employees | $12.00 | $13.25 |
| Milpitas | $13.50 | $15.00 |
| Oakland: Hotel Ordinance (No Benefits) | $13.80 (Oakland General Law) | $20.00 |
| Oakland: Hotel Ordinance (Benefits) | $13.80 (Oakland General Law) | $15.00 |
| Pasadena: 26 or More Employees | $13.25 | $14.25 |
| Pasadena: 25 or Fewer Employees | $12.00 | $13.25 |
| San Francisco: General | $15.00 | $15.69 |
| San Francisco: Government Supported Employee | $13.27 | $13.79 |
| San Leandro | $13.00 | $14.00 |
| Santa Monica: 26 or More Employees | $13.25 | $14.25 |
| Santa Monica: 25 or Fewer Employees | $12.00 | $13.25 |
| Santa Monica: Hotel Ordinance | $16.10 | $16.63 |
