Californians will see their minimum wage rise to $16.90 an hour starting January 1. This 40-cent bump was calculated in August by the California Department of Finance as part of its annual review.
Over the past decade, California has steadily increased its minimum wage. Back in 2016, then-Governor Jerry Brown signed a law that raised it from $10.50 to $15 per hour, with annual inflation adjustments.
Despite this increase, many workers still struggle. Currently, a minimum wage worker needs to log about 98 hours each week just to afford a one-bedroom apartment in California, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
California is among 19 states boosting minimum wages come 2026. Local governments are also taking action. This year, over two dozen cities and counties have set their own higher minimum wages. For instance, West Hollywood will hit a whopping $20.25 per hour in January, the highest in the state, as noted by the UC Berkeley Labor Center.
In November, voters narrowly turned down a measure to raise the minimum wage to $18. Yet, in 2023, some low-wage workers have successfully lobbied for pay increases in their sectors. For example, fast food workers are set to earn at least $20 per hour, while healthcare workers are on track for $25.
This push for higher wages extends to workers in Los Angeles hotels and airports. Labor groups successfully fought for a city minimum wage of $30 per hour for these workers by the 2028 Olympics. However, large businesses argue this could hurt the struggling tourism industry.
After failing to gather enough support to repeal the new minimum wage, business groups filed a different measure that could cut millions from the city’s budget. In response, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson has suggested delaying the full wage increase until 2030. This proposal has sparked strong backlash from labor leaders.
Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, criticized the delay. He stated, “You can’t threaten to blow a hole in our budget and then the only way to stop it is on the backs of workers.” He points out that community organizations and unions are now gathering signatures for a measure that would raise the wage to $30 for all workers in Los Angeles.
Petersen believes that collective action is key. “Working people need help, and raising wages is the easiest, most straightforward thing to do. A 40-cent increase doesn’t change much for everyday workers.”
As discussions continue, it’s clear that the fight for fair wages is far from over in California.
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