United States · Minimum wage 2026 · California
California minimum wage 2026
The California minimum wage is $16.90 an hour in 2026, which is $35,152 a year for a full-time job. It rises to $17.40 an hour on January 1, 2027. After tax, a single full-time worker keeps about $29,613.
California · $16.90 an hour (the 2026 rate) · 40 hours a week
$29,613 a year after tax
$35,152 a year before tax · $2,467.77 a month after tax
| Before tax | After tax | |
|---|---|---|
| A week | $676.00 | $569.49 |
| A month | $2,929.33 | $2,467.77 |
| A year | $35,152 | $29,613 |
- Taken off for the year: $2,038.24 federal income tax, $2,689.13 Social Security and Medicare, and $811.36 California tax and payroll contributions. Single filer, one job, nothing taken before tax.
- A year is 52 weeks of 40 hours (2,080 hours).
How much is the California minimum wage a year?
At $16.90 an hour, before tax, and after tax for a single filer. A year is 52 weeks.
| Hours a week | A week | A month | A year | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | $676.00 | $2,929.33 | $35,152 | $29,613 |
| 30 | $507.00 | $2,197.00 | $26,364 | $22,841 |
| 20 | $338.00 | $1,464.67 | $17,576 | $15,855 |
Full time, $2,038 goes in federal income tax, $2,689 in Social Security and Medicare and $811 in California tax, leaving $2,467.77 a month.
What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
California allows no tip credit: tipped workers get the full $16.90 an hour before tips.
Will the California minimum wage go up in 2027?
It rises to $17.40 an hour on January 1, 2027.
At $17.40, a full-time year is $36,192, $1,040 more than in 2026, and take-home pay about $30,394 on the 2026 tax rules. The state says: “Beginning January 1, 2027, California’s statewide minimum wage will increase to $17.40 per hour”
Are there exceptions in California?
Many cities and counties set higher rates, and fast food and some health care workers have their own higher rates. This page shows the state rate.
California’s rate is $9.65 an hour above the federal $7.25.
What does this leave out?
- Rates for particular jobs or employers the data does not list, training and youth wages beyond those shown, and overtime.
- In take-home pay: local taxes, other income, credits and pre-tax deductions; it is a single filer with one job.
- City and county rates the data does not cover.
What else can I work out?
- California paycheck calculator Take-home pay for any wage or salary in California, per paycheck, with 401(k) and HSA.
- Minimum wage by state Every state’s 2026 rate, tipped wage and 2027 change, side by side.
- Arkansas minimum wage $11.00 an hour in 2026.
- Colorado minimum wage $15.16 an hour in 2026.
- Hourly to salary calculator Any hourly wage as a yearly salary, and back, with take-home pay.
Questions about the California minimum wage
What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
$16.90 an hour, since January 1, 2026.
What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
California allows no tip credit: tipped workers get the full $16.90 an hour before tips.
Will the California minimum wage go up in 2027?
It rises to $17.40 an hour on January 1, 2027.
How much is $16.90 an hour a year?
$35,152 a year before tax at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks: $2,929.33 a month or $676.00 a week. At 30 hours a week it is $26,364 a year.
How much does a minimum wage job pay after taxes in California?
A single person working 40 hours a week at $16.90 keeps about $29,613 a year ($2,467.77 a month) after $2,038 federal income tax,$2,689 Social Security and Medicare and $811 California tax.
Do cities in California have a higher minimum wage?
Many cities and counties set higher rates, and fast food and some health care workers have their own higher rates.