Berkeley Minimum Wage 2026 and 2027
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Berkeley is $19.61 per hour, in effect since July 1, 2026. It is set by the local ordinance and is $2.71 above the California statewide minimum of $16.90 and $12.36 above the federal minimum of $7.25.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Rates and sources checked October 30, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Current rate (October 30, 2026)
$19.61
In effect since July 1, 2026
2027 status: Not announced yet
Not announced yet
Next adjustment date: July 1, 2027
Compared with California
$2.71 higher
California statewide rate $16.90; federal $7.25
Berkeley minimum wage rates
| Group | Rate on October 30, 2026 | Since | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All employees | $19.61 | July 1, 2026 | Not announced |
Set by Berkeley Minimum Wage Ordinance. Administered by the City of Berkeley Labor Standards and Enforcement Program.
Berkeley minimum wage in 2027: Not announced yet
Not announced yet. Berkeley's official notice says that on July 1 of each year the minimum wage rises by the prior calendar year's increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area. The sources read for this page do not list a July 2027 rate.
On July 1 of each year the rate rises by the prior calendar year's increase in the CPI-W for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area.
Tipped workers
California law does not allow a tip credit: the California Department of Industrial Relations says an employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage per hour. Berkeley says the same on its own notice: tips and gratuities cannot be used to reach the minimum wage rate. The city lists one rate, $19.61 per hour from July 1, 2026.
Who is covered
The standard covers every employee who works at least two hours within the geographical limits of Berkeley, wherever the employer is located and wherever the employee lives. It applies to both for-profit and non-profit employers.
Tiers and exceptions
- The Berkeley page and notice list no lower rate for any group of workers. Berkeley also enforces separate Paid Sick Leave, Fair Workweek and Living Wage ordinances; the Living Wage applies only to city vendors, not to employers in general.
- The city's English poster still prints the July 2026 rate as "$19.18 + CPI-W". The dollar amount for July 2026, $19.61, is on the city's workforce standards page, which is the figure this page uses.
Berkeley compared with California and the federal minimum
| Minimum wage | October 30, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | $19.61 | $19.61 |
| California (statewide) | $16.90 | $17.40 |
| Federal | $7.25 | $7.25 |
Employers must pay the highest rate that applies. See the California minimum wage page for the statewide rules.
Berkeley rate history
| Effective | All employees |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | $19.61 |
| July 1, 2025 | $19.18 |
| July 1, 2024 | $18.67 |
Berkeley minimum wage pay calculator
| Gross pay | Berkeley ($19.61) | California ($16.90) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly pay | $784.40 | $676.00 | $108.40 |
| Yearly pay | $40,788.80 | $35,152.00 | $5,636.80 |
Gross pay before taxes, paid straight time for every hour entered. The Berkeley rate is the general rate for the group named above; tipped, youth and other groups follow the rules listed on this page.
What the official sources say
“The minimum wage standard applies to all employees who work at least two hours in the geographical limits of Berkeley, regardless of where the employer is located or where the employee lives.”
“Tips and/or gratuities cannot be used to achieve the Minimum Wage rate.”
“An employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage per hour.”
“On July 1 of each year, the Minimum Wage will increase by the prior calendar year's increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Berkeley in 2026?
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Berkeley is $19.61 per hour, in effect since July 1, 2026. It is set by Berkeley Minimum Wage Ordinance and administered by the City of Berkeley Labor Standards and Enforcement Program.
Will the Berkeley minimum wage go up in 2027?
Not announced yet. Berkeley's official notice says that on July 1 of each year the minimum wage rises by the prior calendar year's increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area. The sources read for this page do not list a July 2027 rate.
How does the Berkeley minimum wage compare with the California and federal minimums?
The California statewide minimum is $16.90, so Berkeley is $2.71 higher. The federal minimum is $7.25. An employer must pay the highest rate that applies.
Who is covered by the Berkeley minimum wage?
The standard covers every employee who works at least two hours within the geographical limits of Berkeley, wherever the employer is located and wherever the employee lives. It applies to both for-profit and non-profit employers.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Berkeley?
California law does not allow a tip credit: the California Department of Industrial Relations says an employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage per hour. Berkeley says the same on its own notice: tips and gratuities cannot be used to reach the minimum wage rate. The city lists one rate, $19.61 per hour from July 1, 2026.
Are there different rates or exceptions in Berkeley?
The Berkeley page and notice list no lower rate for any group of workers. Berkeley also enforces separate Paid Sick Leave, Fair Workweek and Living Wage ordinances; the Living Wage applies only to city vendors, not to employers in general.
Sources for Berkeley
- City of Berkeley: Workforce Standards and Enforcement
- City of Berkeley: Minimum Wage official notice (poster)
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office: Minimum Wage FAQ
Sources checked October 30, 2026.
The $18.67 rate for July 1, 2024 comes from the city poster; the 2025 and 2026 rates come from the workforce standards page.