Claims for overtime compensation are by far the most common type of wage and hour claims. California overtime law differs from federal law in that it provides for daily overtime requirements as well as weekly overtime requirements. In general:
Any work in excess of 8 hours in one workday;
Any work in excess of 40 hours in any one workweek; and
The first 8 hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek must be compensated at a rate of no less than one and one-half times the employee’s regular rate of pay.
Any work in excess of 12 hours in one workday and any work in excess of 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek must be compensated at a rate of no less than twice the employee’s regular rate of pay. No employer is required to combine more than one rate of overtime compensation in order to calculate the amount to be paid to an employee for any hour of overtime work.
2026 Minimum Wages
Employers must pay the highest minimum wage that applies.
California: $16.90/hour
Fast Food Employees: $20.00/hour
City and County Minimums
Alameda: $17.46
Belmont: $18.95
Berkeley: $19.18
Burlingame: $17.86
Cupertino: $18.70
Daly City: $17.50
East Palo Alto: $17.90
El Cerrito: $18.82
Emeryville: $19.90
Foster City: $17.85
Fremont: $17.75
Half Moon Bay: $17.91
Hayward*: $17.79
Los Altos: $18.70
Los Angeles: $17.87
Los Angeles County: $17.81
(Unincorporated)
Malibu: $17.27
Menlo Park: $17.55
Milpitas: $18.20
Mountain View: $19.70
Novato**: $17.46
Oakland: $17.34
Palo Alto: $18.70
Pasadena: $18.04
Petaluma: $18.31
Redwood City: $18.65
Richmond: $19.18
San Carolos: $17.75
San Diego: $17.75
San Francisco: $19.18
San Jose: $18.45
San Mateo: $18.60
San Mateo County: $17.95
(Unincorporated)
Santa Clara: $18.70
Santa Monica: $17.81
Santa Rosa: $18.21
Sonoma***: $18.47
South San Francisco: $18.15
Sunnyvale: $19.50
West Hollywood: $20.25
*Rate for small employers(25 or fewer workers) is California Minimum Wage
**Rate for very large employers(100+) is $17.73; Rate for small employers is California Minimum Wage
***Rate for small employers is $17.38