2020 not only ushers in the beginning of a new decade but also pay increases for thousands of California employees earning minimum wage.  Many cities and counties enacted minimum wage laws increasing the minimum wage that employers must pay employees.  Are you one of the fortunate California employees that will see a pay bump?  Keep reading to find out.

1. California Minimum Wage Increase

Although Congress mandates a federal minimum wage, California imposes a higher statewide minimum wage throughout the state.  Effective January 1, 2020, California’s minimum wage for employers with 25 or fewer employees is $12.00 per hour.  Employers employing 26 or more employees is $13.00 per hour.  California’s minimum wage will reach $15.00 per hour in 2022. If you receive minimum wage in California, expect to see a pay increase in 2020

2. Local Minimum Wage Increases

Locally, employees earning minimum wage fare better as nu

merous cities and counties have accelerated minimum wage increases.  Under California law, employers must comply with the highest applicable minimum wage, which is commonly the amount set by a city or county.

a. San Francisco Bay Area Minimum Wage Increases

Dozens of San Francisco Bay Area cities mandated minimum wage increases to become effective on January 1, 2020.  The following San Francisco Bay Area cities have mandated minimum wage increases to take effect on January 1, 2020:

City January 1, 2020 Minimum Wage Increase
Belmont, California $15.00
Cupertino, California $15.35
Daly City, California $13.75
El Cerrito, California $15.37
Los Altos, California $15.40
Menlo Park, California $15.00
Mountain View, California $16.05
Novato, California $12.00 for employers with 25 or fewer employees
$13.00 for employers with 26 or more employees
Oakland, California $14.14
Petaluma, California $14.00 for employers with 25 or fewer employees
$15.00 for employers with 26 or more employees
Redwood City, California $15.38
San Jose, California $15.25
San Mateo, California $15.38
Santa Clara, California $15.40
Sonoma, California $12.50 for employers with 25 or fewer employees $13.50 for employers with 26 or more employees
South San Francisco, California $15.00
Sunnyvale, California $16.05

Additionally, several cities will require employers to give employees earning minimum wage a raiser later in the year.  The following San Francisco Bay Area cities will increase the minimum wage during 2020:

City 2020 Minimum Wage Increase Date of Increase
Alameda, California $15.00 July 1, 2020
Berkeley, California $15.59 + CPI July 1, 2020
Emeryville, California $16.42 (estimate) July 1, 2020
Fremont, California $13.50 for employers with 25 or fewer employees $15.00 for employers with 26 or more employees July 1, 2020
Milpitas, California $15.00 + CPI July 1, 2020
San Francisco, California $15.59 + CPI
$16.50 + CPI for nonprofit workers and CalWORKS participants		 July 1, 2020
San Leandro, California $15.00 July 1, 2020
Santa Rosa, California $14.00 for employers with 25 or fewer employees
$15.00 for employers with 25 or more employees		 July 1, 2020

b. Greater Los Angeles Minimum Wage Increases

Although Greater Los Angeles employees earning minimum wage will not receive minimum wage increases on January 1, 2020.  Certain Southern California cities and counties have enacted laws to increase the minimum wage later in 2020.  Those cities and counties are:

City 2020 Minimum Wage Increase Date of Increase
Los Angeles, California $14.25 for employers with 25 or fewer employees
$15.00 for employers with 25 or more employees		 July 1, 2020
Los Angeles County $14.25 for employers with 25 or fewer employees
$15.00 for employers with 25 or more employees		 July 1, 2020
Malibu, California $14.25 for employers with 25 or fewer employees
$15.00 for employers with 25 or more employees		 July 1, 2020
Pasadena, California $14.25 for employers with 25 or fewer employees
$15.00 for employers with 25 or more employees		 July 1, 2020
Santa Monica, California $14.25 for employers with 25 or fewer employees
$15.00 for employers with 25 or more employees		 July 1, 2020

3. Take Action if Your Employer Doesn’t Increase Your Minimum Wage

If you earn minimum wage and work in a city or county with a 2020 minimum wage increase, your employer must comply.  If your employer refuses to give you your 2020 minimum wage increase, contact Astanehe Law for your free consultation.  You have rights and can recover all unpaid wages, plus additional damages.  Michael Astanehe has recovered millions on behalf of Californians and may be able to assist you with your claim.  Contact Astanehe Law at (415) 226-7170 or contact@astanehelaw.com.  Astanehe Law knows employee rights!