As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in California is $15.50 per hour for all employers. This rate applies to both employers with 25 or fewer employees and those with 26 or more employees. However, some cities and counties in California have higher minimum wages than the states rate. For example, the minimum wage in Half Moon Bay is $16.45 per hour, while in San Francisco, it is $18.07 per hour.

It is important to note that the minimum wage in California will increase to $16 per hour on January 1, 2024. Additionally, a new law in California will raise the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour starting on April 1, 2024. This law creates a Fast Food Council that has the power to increase that wage each year through 2029 by 3.5% or the change in averages for the U.S. Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, whichever is lower.