As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in California is $15.50 per hour for all employers. However, some cities and counties have higher minimum wages than the states rate. For example, the minimum wage in Half Moon Bay is $16.45 per hour, while in Hayward, it is $16.34 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees and $15.50 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. In addition, a new law in California will raise the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour starting on April 1, 2024.

It is important to note that the minimum wage in California is subject to change. For instance, the minimum wage will increase to $16 per hour for all employers effective January 1, 2024, due to an inflation adjustment. Employers must follow the stricter standard between the federal and state minimum wage laws, and since Californias current law requires a higher minimum wage rate than the federal law, all employers in California must pay the state minimum wage rate unless their employees are exempted from the minimum wage law.