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California minimum wage in 2026
Minimum wage in California
$16.90
an hour · $35,152 a year full time · about $29,587 after taxes
| Per week (40 hours) | $676.00 |
| Every two weeks | $1,352.00 |
| Per month | $2,929.33 |
| Per year | $35,152 |
Rate in effect on September 30, 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor. Some cities and counties set a higher minimum. Updated November 15, 2026.
Minimum wage in California after taxes
A full-time minimum wage worker in California earns $35,152 a year. As a single filer, $2,038 goes to federal income tax, $2,689 to Social Security and Medicare, and $381 to California income tax, plus $457 of state payroll contributions. That leaves $29,587, or $14.22 for each hour worked.
| Hours per week | Per week | Per year | Per year after taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $169.00 | $8,788 | $8,001 |
| 15 | $253.50 | $13,182 | $12,002 |
| 20 | $338.00 | $17,576 | $15,855 |
| 25 | $422.50 | $21,970 | $19,359 |
| 30 | $507.00 | $26,364 | $22,833 |
| 35 | $591.50 | $30,758 | $26,261 |
| 40 | $676.00 | $35,152 | $29,587 |
How California compares
California's minimum wage ranks 4th highest of the 50 states and DC. The highest is District of Columbia, at $18.40. 30 states and DC set their own rate above the federal $7.25; the rest use the federal rate.
| State | Minimum wage | Full-time year | vs. California |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $16.90 | $35,152 | — |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $31,512 | −$1.75 |
| Nevada | $12.00 | $24,960 | −$4.90 |
| Oregon | $15.55 | $32,344 | −$1.35 |
Overtime at minimum wage
Under federal law, most hourly workers must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a week. At California's minimum wage that is $25.35 for each overtime hour. Five overtime hours a week add $6,591 a year before taxes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
$16.90 an hour, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
How much is minimum wage a year in California?
Working 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, $16.90 an hour is $35,152 a year before taxes and about $29,587 after taxes for a single filer.
How much is a minimum wage paycheck in California?
A full-time worker paid every two weeks earns $1,352.00 before taxes and takes home about $1,137.95.
Is California's minimum wage higher than the federal minimum?
Yes. It is $9.65 an hour above the federal minimum of $7.25, which adds $20,072 a year for a full-time worker.
More California tools
California taxes and pay: overviewCalifornia paycheck calculatorCalifornia income tax calculator$15 an hour$20 an hour$25 an hour$30 an hour$50,000 a year$75,000 a year$100,000 a year
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor: state minimum wage rates (in effect September 30, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: overtime pay
- How after-tax figures are calculated
Minimum wage in other states
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