On July 31, 2026, California Director of Finance Joe Stephenshaw released the calculated minimum wage adjustment for 2027, which raises the state minimum wage rate by $0.50 per hour, a 2.99 percent increase from the current $16.90 per hour rate. The California Department of Industrial Relations confirmed the increase in a news release reminding employers of the related wage, salary threshold, and workplace posting obligations that come with it.
Quick Hits
Starting January 1, 2027, California’s minimum wage rate will rise to $17.40 per hour, reflecting a 2.99 percent adjustment based on federal inflation data.
Employers may want to prepare for the upcoming wage adjustment and remain aware of existing higher minimum wage rates for fast food workers, health care workers, and various municipalities throughout California.
The increase is slightly larger than the $0.40 increase that took effect at the start of 2026, and it continues a trend of steady annual growth in California’s… Read the complete article here...
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