The cities in California that will have the highest minimum wage on 1 July
Several California cities will increase their minimum wages starting July 1. Will you be effected by these wage increases?
Several cities in California are getting ready to raise their minimum wages starting on 1 July. In these cities, where the cost of living is higher than the state average, the minimum wage is set higher than that imposed at the state level. In addition to workers in these cities, the state recently passed a law to increase the minimum wage for fast food workers in the Golden State to $20 an hour. The increase for these workers went into effect in early April, and many companies are already complaining that they will have to increase prices to pay these higher salaries. Investigations by the Los Angeles Times found that these claims were false.
Currently, the minimum wage in California is $16 per hour, but more than thirty cities have set higher minimum wages. In January, twenty-eight cities increased their minimum wages, and ten more will join them in July.
The following cities and counties in California have confirmed that they will raise their minimum wages starting on July 1, 2024:
Minimum Wage ($/hr)
- Alameda: $17
- Berkeley: $18.67
- Emeryville: $19.36
- Fremont: $17.30
- Los Angeles: $17.28
- Los Angeles County: $17.17
- Milpitas: $17.70
- Pasadena: $17.50
- San Francisco: $18.67
- Santa Monica: $17.27
This city will have the highest minimum wage in California
Emeryville has confirmed it will increase its minimum wage, effective 1 July. At $19.36 per hour, Emeryville will have the highest minimum wage in California, and it applies to all employees (part-time, full-time, or temporary) working in the city. The increase is calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, which reflects the rising cost of living established by the State.
Other cities with the highest salaries in California
In 2023, West Hollywood had the highest minimum wage in the state, but it has now been announced that it will remain at the same amount as last year: $19.08 per hour, making it the second-highest minimum wage in the city. Thanks to the January increase, the minimum wage in the northern California city of Mountain View rose from $18.15 to $18.75, making it the third highest in the state. With the next increases scheduled for July, Berkley and San Francisco will have the fourth highest wages in the state, with an hourly wage of $18.67. Sunnyvale is the final city on our list and takes the fifth place spot after the minimum wage was raised on 1 January from $17.95 to $18.55 per hour.