The increases may be helpful to the recipients, but someone has to pay the added dollars, and just as with taxes, it is you, the consumer–the taxpayer–that ultimately pays. In a state hard-hit by high-cost and lack of affordability, raising minimum wages (and taxes!) is unlikely to make living in California more affordable.
Here is the updated chart showing the previous minimum wage and the new minimum wage effective July 1, 2026. Most increases are annual inflation adjustments.
| City/County | Previous Wage | New Wage (July 1, 2026) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | $17.46 | $17.76 | +$0.30 |
| Berkeley | $19.18 | $19.61 | +$0.43 |
| Cupertino | $18.15* | $18.70 | +$0.55 |
| Emeryville | $19.90 | $20.34 | +$0.44 |
| Fremont | $17.75 | $18.05 | +$0.30 |
| Los Angeles | $17.87 | $18.42 | +$0.55 |
| Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas) | $17.81 | $18.47 | +$0.66 |
| Malibu | $17.27 | $17.91 | +$0.64 |
| Milpitas | $18.20 | $18.50 | +$0.30 |
| Oakland | $17.34* | $17.92 | +$0.58 |
| Pasadena | $18.04 | $18.57 | +$0.53 |
| San Francisco | $19.18 | $19.61 | +$0.43 |
| Santa Monica | $17.81 | $18.47 | +$0.66 |
*Cupertino and Oakland typically update their citywide minimum wages on January 1 rather than July 1; however, these are the most recent previous rates before today’s changes took effect in the jurisdictions reporting July 1 adjustments.
Largest Increases July 1st
- Los Angeles County (unincorporated): +$0.66
- Santa Monica: +$0.66
- Malibu: +$0.64
- Oakland: +$0.58
- Los Angeles: +$0.55
- Pasadena: +$0.53
Industry-Specific Increases Also Taking Effect July 1st
Some sectors receive higher rates than their city’s general minimum wage:
- Glendale hotel workers: $25.00/hr
- Long Beach hotel and concessionaire workers: $26.50/hr
- San Diego:
- Hotel workers: $19.00/hr
- Certain event center workers: $21.06/hr
- General citywide minimum wage remains $17.75/hr (effective January 1, 2026, with no new general increase today).
Highest General Minimum Wages in California July 1st
- Berkeley — $19.61/hr
- San Francisco — $19.61/hr
- Pasadena — $18.57/hr
- Milpitas — $18.50/hr
For employers and employees in the Los Angeles area, the biggest changes today are:
Emeryville — $20.34/hr
- City of Los Angeles: $18.42/hour
- Unincorporated Los Angeles County: $18.47/hour
- Santa Monica: $18.47/hour
- Pasadena: $18.57/hour
- Malibu: $17.91/hour
