California Updates

Written by Anonymous | May 19, 2026 1:00:00 PM
Health Care Worker Minimum Wage
Effective July 1, 2026, covered health care facilities must pay covered health care employees a minimum wage according to the following schedule:
 
 
*Note: This rate is projected based on the previous year's minimum wage increased by 3.5%.
 
Covered health care employees who are compensated on a salary basis must be paid a monthly salary equivalent to no less than 150 percent of the health care worker's minimum wage or the standard 200 percent of the minimum wage, whichever is greater.
 
You can learn more here: Health Care Worker Minimum Wage Frequently Asked Questions
 
 
West Hollywood Hotel Minimum Wage
 
Effective July 1, 2026, the minimum wage for hotel employers in West Hollywood, California, increases from $20.22 per hour to $20.87 per hour under an annual inflation adjustment required by the city code. The adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area.
 
 

 

Santa Monica Hotel Worker Minimum Wage
 
Effective July 1, 2026, the minimum wage for hotel employees in Santa Monica, California, is projected to increase from $22.50 per hour to $25.00 per hour to match the minimum wage for hotel employees in Los Angeles, California, as required by the city code. It is not clear whether hotel employees in Santa Monica are owed the $8.15 minimum health benefits or their equivalent wage required for hotel employees in Los Angeles; the City has not responded to requests for clarification. 
 
 
SFO Minimum Wage 
 
Effective July 1, 2026, the minimum wage at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) increases:
 
    • From $22.04 to $22.51 for employees covered under the San Francisco International Airport Quality Standards Program (QSP);

    • From $21.54 to $22.01 for employees of for-profit employers covered under the San Francisco Minimum Compensation Ordinance (MCO); and

    • From $23.00 to $23.50 for employees of non-profit employers covered under the MCO, subject to budget approval.
 
The San Francisco International Airport Quality Standards Program (QSP); employers and/or employees outside the scope of the QSP may be subject to the San Francisco Minimum Compensation Ordinance (MCO); contractors covered by both the QSP and the MCO must comply with both (see Rules Implementing the Minimum Compensation).

 

 
 
SJC Minimum Wage
 
Effective July 1, 2026, the minimum wage at San Jose International Airport (SJC) is adjusted for inflation. It is increased based on the change, if any, in the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area, with all items included, as of December 31, 2025.
 
 
LGB Minimum Wage
 
Effective July 1, 2026, the minimum wage at Long Beach Airport (LGB) increases from $25.00 per hour to $26.50 per hour.
 
You can see other California minimum wage updates in our minimum wage article this month.