As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in California is $15.50 per hour for all employers. This rate will increase to $16 per hour on January 1, 2024. However, some cities and counties in California have higher minimum wages than the states rate. For example, a new law in California will raise the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour starting on April 1, 2024, which is the highest guaranteed base salary in the industry. Additionally, a new California law requires a gradual minimum wage increase to $25 per hour for healthcare workers across the state over the next several years. It is important to note that employers must follow the stricter standard when there are conflicting requirements in the laws, which is the one that is the most beneficial to the employee.