California minimum wage 2027
Reviewed Oct 21, 2026 11 official sources How we verify
Not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. General information; laws vary by state. Terms of use
California minimum wage 2027: $17.40 per hour from January 1, 2027 (CA DIR news release 2026-66; CA Dept. of Finance letter). Verified Oct 21, 2026 on two official California pages.
The answer
$17.40 per hour from January 1, 2027 (CA DIR news release 2026-66)
Minimum wage today: $16.90 per hour (California minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table); verified Sep 27, 2026).
“Beginning January 1, 2027, California’s statewide minimum wage will increase to $17.40 per hour”
California paycheck calculator
What changes for California employers in 2027
Rate in force now: California minimum wage is $16.90 per hour for all employers (effective January 1, 2026); higher industry-specific or local minimums may apply. (California minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table); California DIR/DLSE Minimum Wage FAQ; verified Sep 27, 2026).
The salary threshold for the overtime exemption is $72,384 a year from January 1, 2027 (DIR news release 2026-66; IWC Wage Order 4). Verified Oct 21, 2026.
Later in 2027: Health care workers at safety-net hospitals (high governmental payor or rural independent hospitals): $19.95/hour from July 1, 2027 (scheduled by statute; dir.ca.gov); Health care workers at intermittent clinics, community clinics, rural health clinics and the urgent care clinics associated with them: $25.00/hour from July 1, 2027 (scheduled by statute; dir.ca.gov); Los Angeles, CA, hotel workers: hotels with 60 or more rooms (50 or more in the Airport Hospitality Enhancement Zone): $25.50/hour + $6.00/hour health benefit from July 1, 2027 (scheduled by statute; wagesla.lacity.gov).
Each change with its official text: California rules.
2027 minimum wage: California and neighboring states
Each state links to its rulebook. The same rows, for every state, are in the 2027 table by state.
| State | Minimum wage 2027 | Exempt salary threshold 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| California | $17.40 per hour from January 1, 2027 (CA DIR news release 2026-66; CA Dept. of Finance letter) Verified Oct 21, 2026 Some workers have their own 2027 rate: California 2027 changes City and county 2027 changes: Los Angeles, CA | $1,392 a week (computed); $72,384 a year. Set for 2027: from January 1, 2027 (DIR news release 2026-66; IWC Wage Order 4) Verified Oct 21, 2026 |
| Oregon | Pending verification: the July 1, 2027 rate is not yet published on an official page we could read (Oregon official minimum wage source). Now: $14.55 to $16.80 per hour ($14.55 in non-urban counties; $16.80 in the Portland metro area; $15.55 in the rest of the state) (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws (Oregon)) Verified Sep 27, 2026 | Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026 |
| Nevada | No 2027 minimum wage change found in official sources yet. Now: $12.00 per hour (Nevada minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026)) Verified Sep 21, 2026 | Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026 |
| Arizona | Pending verification: the January 1, 2027 rate is not yet published on an official page we could read (Arizona official minimum wage source). Now: $15.15 per hour (Arizona minimum wage law (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table)) Verified Sep 25, 2026 | Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026 |
How to act on it
Questions about the California minimum wage in 2027
What is the California minimum wage in 2027?
California's statewide minimum wage: $17.40 per hour from January 1, 2027 (CA DIR news release 2026-66; CA Dept. of Finance letter). Verified Oct 21, 2026.
What is the California minimum wage now?
Minimum wage today: $16.90 per hour (California minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table); verified Sep 27, 2026).
What is the California exempt salary threshold in 2027?
The salary threshold for the overtime exemption is $72,384 a year from January 1, 2027 (DIR news release 2026-66; IWC Wage Order 4). Verified Oct 21, 2026.
Do some California workers have a different 2027 minimum wage?
Later in 2027: Health care workers at safety-net hospitals (high governmental payor or rural independent hospitals): $19.95/hour from July 1, 2027 (scheduled by statute; dir.ca.gov); Health care workers at intermittent clinics, community clinics, rural health clinics and the urgent care clinics associated with them: $25.00/hour from July 1, 2027 (scheduled by statute; dir.ca.gov); Los Angeles, CA, hotel workers: hotels with 60 or more rooms (50 or more in the Airport Hospitality Enhancement Zone): $25.50/hour + $6.00/hour health benefit from July 1, 2027 (scheduled by statute; wagesla.lacity.gov). Each change with its official text: California rules.
Sources (11)
- CA DIR news release 2026-66
- CA Dept. of Finance letter
- IWC Wage Order 4
- dir.ca.gov
- wagesla.lacity.gov
- California minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table)
- Oregon official minimum wage source
- U.S. DOL thresholds page
- eCFR 29 CFR 541.600
- Arizona official minimum wage source
- California DIR/DLSE Minimum Wage FAQ
Checked Oct 21, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error
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