California minimum wage, in 2020, is going up for most people – and there’s a good chance you’re one of them. Here’s what you need to know.
There are several municipalities throughout California that exceed state requirements for minimum wage. The table below includes each municipality’s new minimum wage, which will go into effect January 1, 2020.
Alameda: $15 | Belmont: $15 | Berkeley: $15.59 | Cupertino: $15.35 |
Daly City: $13.75 | El Cerrito: $15.37 | Emeryville: $16.42 | Fremont: $13.50 |
Los Altos: $15.40 | Los Angeles: $14.25* | LA County: $14.25* | Malibu: $14.25* |
Menlo Park: $15 | Mountain View: $16.05 | Oakland: $14.14 | Palo Alto: $15.40 |
Pasadena: $14.25* | Redwood City: $15.38 | Richmond: $15 | San Diego: $13 |
San Leandro: $15 | San Mateo: $15.38 | Santa Clara: $15.40 | Santa Monica: $15 |
Santa Rosa: $14* | Sonoma: $12.50** | S. San Francisco: $15 | Sunnyvale: $16.05 |
*These wages are for small employers. Each location marked this way will raise minimum wage to $15 for large employers.
**These wages are for small employers. Each location marked this way will raise minimum wage to $13.50 for large employers.
Across the state of California, minimum wage in 2020 is set to increase – and it will continue to increase until January 1, 2023 so that the whole state has a $15 per hour minimum wage. Use this table to see minimum wage increases in the future.
Date | Minimum Wage for Employers With 25 or Fewer Employees | Minimum Wage for Employers With 26 or More Employees |
January 1, 2020 | $12/hour | $13/hour |
January 1, 2021 | $13/hour | $14/hour |
January 1, 2022 | $14/hour | $15/hour |
January 1, 2023 | $15/hour |
You can’t agree to work for less than minimum wage, even if you want to. In fact, California Civil Code §1668 and California Civil Code §3513 expressly forbid it.
There are a few situations in which it’s okay to work for less than minimum wage, such as when you’re a “learner” or fall into some other categories – and if you’re not sure, it’s probably a good idea to call an attorney for legal advice.
If your employer pays you less than minimum wage, you have legal recourse. Labor Code §1194 says, “Notwithstanding any agreement to work for a lesser wage, any employee receiving less than the legal minimum wage … applicable to the employee is entitled to recover in a civil action the unpaid balance of the full amount of this minimum wage …, including interest thereon, reasonable attorney’s fees, and costs of suit.”
Unfortunately, if your employer is paying you less than minimum wage, there’s a good chance that it’s paying other workers less than minimum wage, too. In cases like those, it’s often a good idea to talk to an attorney about your situation and find out whether you’re entitled to any legal remedies.
The minimum wage is supposed to increase for everyone in 2020, so watch your paycheck. If your employer isn’t paying you what you deserve, you may be able to get the money it owes you. Call us at 818-230-8380 or fill out the form below to tell us about your situation. We’ll ask you some questions and help you start moving forward.
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