Los Angeles Minimum Wage 2026 and 2027
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Los Angeles is $18.42 per hour, in effect since July 1, 2026. It is set by the local ordinance and is $1.52 above the California statewide minimum of $16.90 and $11.17 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)
$18.42
In effect since July 1, 2026
2027 status: Not announced yet
Not announced yet
Next adjustment date: July 1, 2027
Compared with California
$1.52 higher
California statewide rate $16.90; federal $7.25
Los Angeles minimum wage rates
| Group | Rate on October 30, 2026 | Since | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All employers | $18.42 | July 1, 2026 | Not announced |
| Citywide hotel workers (cash wage, plus a health benefit payment) | $25.00 | July 1, 2026 | $25.50 on July 1, 2027 |
Set by Los Angeles Municipal Code Chapter XVIII (Minimum Wage Ordinance, Section 187.02). Administered by the City of Los Angeles Office of Wage Standards (Wages LA).
Los Angeles minimum wage in 2027: Not announced yet
Not announced yet. The Office of Wage Standards says the adjusted rate is announced on February 1st of each year and becomes effective on July 1st, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Los Angeles area. The hotel worker wage for July 1, 2027 is already set by ordinance at $25.50.
Each year the rate is adjusted with the CPI-W for the Los Angeles area, announced February 1 and effective July 1.
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. The Los Angeles notice lists one rate for all employers, $18.42 per hour from July 1, 2026.
Who is covered
An employee is anyone who in any particular week performs at least two hours of work within the geographic boundaries of the City of Los Angeles and is entitled to the California minimum wage. Coverage does not depend on immigration status or on whether the employee is full-time, part-time or temporary.
Tiers and exceptions
- Hotel workers: hotels in the city with 60 or more guest rooms, and hotels with 50 or more guest rooms in the Airport Hospitality Enhancement Zone, must pay the Citywide Hotel Worker Minimum Wage of $25.00 per hour plus a $4.25 per hour health benefit payment from July 1, 2026. The chart shows $25.50 plus $6.00 from July 1, 2027, and $28.50 from July 1, 2028.
- California has a separate statewide Fast Food Minimum Wage (AB 1228) that came into effect on April 1, 2024.
Los Angeles compared with California and the federal minimum
| Minimum wage | October 30, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $18.42 | $18.42 |
| 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.
Los Angeles rate history
| Effective | All employers |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | $18.42 |
| July 1, 2025 | $17.87 |
| July 1, 2024 | $17.28 |
| July 1, 2023 | $16.78 |
| July 1, 2022 | $16.04 |
Citywide hotel workers (cash wage, plus a health benefit payment)
- July 1, 2026$25.00
- July 1, 2027 (scheduled)$25.50
Los Angeles minimum wage pay calculator
| Gross pay | Los Angeles ($18.42) | California ($16.90) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly pay | $736.80 | $676.00 | $60.80 |
| Yearly pay | $38,313.60 | $35,152.00 | $3,161.60 |
Gross pay before taxes, paid straight time for every hour entered. The Los Angeles 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
“An employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage per hour.”
“The adjusted rate will be announced on February 1st of each year and become effective on July 1st of each year.”
“Employee means any individual who in any particular week performs at least two (2) hours of work within the geographic boundaries of the City of Los Angeles for any Employer and is entitled to earn the California minimum wage.”
“Pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 186.01.C, Hotels within the geographic boundaries of the City of Los Angeles with 60 or more guest rooms and Hotels with 50 or more guest rooms located within the Airport Hospitality Enhancement Zone (AHEZ) are subject to the Citywide Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance (CHMWO).”
“The Fast Food Minimum Wage (AB 1228) is a State law that came into effect on April 1, 2024.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Los Angeles in 2026?
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Los Angeles is $18.42 per hour, in effect since July 1, 2026. It is set by Los Angeles Municipal Code Chapter XVIII (Minimum Wage Ordinance, Section 187.02) and administered by the City of Los Angeles Office of Wage Standards (Wages LA).
Will the Los Angeles minimum wage go up in 2027?
Not announced yet. The Office of Wage Standards says the adjusted rate is announced on February 1st of each year and becomes effective on July 1st, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Los Angeles area. The hotel worker wage for July 1, 2027 is already set by ordinance at $25.50.
How does the Los Angeles minimum wage compare with the California and federal minimums?
The California statewide minimum is $16.90, so Los Angeles is $1.52 higher. The federal minimum is $7.25. An employer must pay the highest rate that applies.
Who is covered by the Los Angeles minimum wage?
An employee is anyone who in any particular week performs at least two hours of work within the geographic boundaries of the City of Los Angeles and is entitled to the California minimum wage. Coverage does not depend on immigration status or on whether the employee is full-time, part-time or temporary.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Los Angeles?
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. The Los Angeles notice lists one rate for all employers, $18.42 per hour from July 1, 2026.
Are there different rates or exceptions in Los Angeles?
Citywide hotel workers (cash wage, plus a health benefit payment): $25.00. Hotel workers: hotels in the city with 60 or more guest rooms, and hotels with 50 or more guest rooms in the Airport Hospitality Enhancement Zone, must pay the Citywide Hotel Worker Minimum Wage of $25.00 per hour plus a $4.25 per hour health benefit payment from July 1, 2026. The chart shows $25.50 plus $6.00 from July 1, 2027, and $28.50 from July 1, 2028.
Sources for Los Angeles
- City of Los Angeles Office of Wage Standards (Wages LA)
- Los Angeles Minimum Wage official notice, July 1, 2026
- Office of Wage Standards memo, January 30, 2026
- Citywide Hotel Worker Minimum Wage chart (revised May 27, 2026)
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office: Minimum Wage FAQ
Sources checked October 30, 2026.