Complying with California’s multiple wage and hour laws is essential to avoid exposure and potential litigation. As many California employers know well, minimum wage is a highly litigated area of the state's wage and hour law. As such, staying up to date with changes to minimum wage law is critical.
Beginning on July 1, 2025, several California localities are set to increase their minimum wage. Employers in these localities should review and update their policies and practices to comply with the scheduled increases. These localities and increases include the following:
Locality | Prior Minimum Wage | New Minimum Wage |
| City of Los Angeles | $17.28 | $17.87 |
| Los Angeles County unincorporated areas | $17.27 | $17.81 |
| City and County of San Francisco | $18.67 | $19.18 |
| City of Berkeley | $18.67 | $19.18 |
| City of Emeryville | $19.36 | $19.90 |
| City of Fremont | $17.30 | $17.75 |
| City of Milpitas | $17.70 | $18.20 |
| Santa Monica | $17.27 | $17.81 |
| West Hollywood – Hotel Employees | $19.61 | $20.22 |
The minimum wage in other California localities, such as Alameda County, is also set to increase on July 1, 2025. However, the new minimum wage has not been posted. To stay informed about changes to California labor and employment law, sign up for Barnes & Thornburg's Insight Subscriptions.
/Passle/6488d4630e7e25c9ac9f834a/SearchServiceImages/2025-05-14-12-15-34-360-68248966822da73188e6ae2e.jpg)
/Passle/6488d4630e7e25c9ac9f834a/SearchServiceImages/2025-05-13-13-03-38-657-6823432aa924d28913e4f8ca.jpg)
/Passle/6488d4630e7e25c9ac9f834a/SearchServiceImages/2025-05-07-12-12-40-767-681b4e3874181eb2523a11f5.jpg)