California is set to increase its minimum wage in 2026. Edie Lambert takes *** look back at the history of the minimum wage in the state. Starting January 1st, California’s minimum wage is slightly increasing. Workers will be making 40 cents more than they are currently. The new minimum wage will be $16.90 an hour. That hourly rate has been increasing every year since 2023. State law requires the Finance Department to adjust minimum wage each year along the consumer price index for urban wage earners. So here’s *** look at. Minimum wage increases over the past 30 years. Back in 1996, the minimum wage was set at $475. 10 years later, it was up $2 at $675. In 2016, you can see the minimum wage hit $10 and next year it’ll be nearly $7 higher than that at $1690. California is one of 19 states increasing the minimum wage in the new. Washington DC has the highest minimum wage, nearly $18 an hour. That’s followed by Washington State, soon to reach $17.13 and California ranks fourth after Connecticut. We should also mention that some sectors have higher minimum wages here in our state, including for fast food and healthcare workers in some sectors, and some cities and counties also set higher minimum wages.
California’s minimum wage is increasing in 2026 | California Politics 360
The new minimum wage will be set at $16.90, an increase of 40 cents from 2025.
Updated: 8:25 AM PST Nov 30, 2025
Starting Jan. 1, California’s minimum wage is slightly increasing.The new minimum wage will be set at $16.90, an increase of 40 cents from 2025. The hourly rate has been increasing every year since 2023. State law requires the finance department to adjust the minimum wage each year, along the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners.California is one of 19 states increasing its minimum wage in 2026, according to ADP. Currently, Washington, D.C., has the highest minimum wage at $17.95 an hour. Washington State will be increasing its minimum wage to $17.13. California ranks fourth in the highest minimum wages in 2026, followed by Connecticut.Some sectors have higher minimum wages, including some fast food and health care workers. Some cities and counties have also set higher minimum wages.California’s Industrial Relations Department lists the minimum wage increases since 1916. That year, minimum wage was set at $0.16. Minimum wage reached $1 per hour in 1957. In 1996, the minimum wage was $4.75. Ten years later, it had only increased $2 to $6.75 in 2006. In 2016, the minimum wage reached $10. A decade later, minimum wage will be $16.90.KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Starting Jan. 1, California’s minimum wage is slightly increasing.
The new minimum wage will be set at $16.90, an increase of 40 cents from 2025.
The hourly rate has been increasing every year since 2023. State law requires the finance department to adjust the minimum wage each year, along the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners.
California is one of 19 states increasing its minimum wage in 2026, according to ADP. Currently, Washington, D.C., has the highest minimum wage at $17.95 an hour. Washington State will be increasing its minimum wage to $17.13. California ranks fourth in the highest minimum wages in 2026, followed by Connecticut.
Some sectors have higher minimum wages, including some fast food and health care workers. Some cities and counties have also set higher minimum wages.
California’s Industrial Relations Department lists the minimum wage increases since 1916. That year, minimum wage was set at $0.16. Minimum wage reached $1 per hour in 1957.
In 1996, the minimum wage was $4.75. Ten years later, it had only increased $2 to $6.75 in 2006. In 2016, the minimum wage reached $10. A decade later, minimum wage will be $16.90.
KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel