Pasadena Minimum Wage 2026 and 2027
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Pasadena is $18.57 per hour, in effect since July 1, 2026. It is set by the local ordinance and is $1.67 above the California statewide minimum of $16.90 and $11.32 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)
$18.57
In effect since July 1, 2026
2027 status: Not announced yet
Not announced yet
Next adjustment date: July 1, 2027
Compared with California
$1.67 higher
California statewide rate $16.90; federal $7.25
Pasadena minimum wage rates
| Group | Rate on October 30, 2026 | Since | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All employees | $18.57 | July 1, 2026 | Not announced |
Set by Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 5.02 (Minimum Wage Ordinance, effective July 1, 2016). Administered by the City of Pasadena Planning and Community Development Department, Code Compliance Division.
Pasadena minimum wage in 2027: Not announced yet
Not announced yet. The city says the $18.57 rate remains in effect until June 30, 2027, when the next adjustment will occur, and that after several planned adjustments the Pasadena minimum wage is now updated each year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The rate is now updated each year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index and takes effect 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 Pasadena notice says employers must pay $18.57 per hour in addition to any tips received, and lists no separate tipped rate.
Who is covered
The ordinance applies to adult and minor employees who work two hours or more per week in Pasadena, regardless of immigration or work status. Employers must display a notice in English and in any language spoken by more than 5 percent of persons at the worksite.
Tiers and exceptions
- Fast food: California sets a $20.00 per hour minimum wage for national fast-food chain establishments, and that state rate supersedes the Pasadena rate when the employer meets the state definition of a national fast-food chain.
- The city adopted its ordinance on March 14, 2016, before California's statewide minimum wage legislation, and says the state's requirements do not override Pasadena's ordinance. The notice and handouts list no other lower rate; this page does not summarize the full ordinance text, so confirm any other exemption with the city.
Pasadena compared with California and the federal minimum
| Minimum wage | October 30, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | $18.57 | $18.57 |
| 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.
Pasadena rate history
| Effective | All employees |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | $18.57 |
| July 1, 2025 | $18.04 |
| July 1, 2024 | $17.50 |
Pasadena minimum wage pay calculator
| Gross pay | Pasadena ($18.57) | California ($16.90) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly pay | $742.80 | $676.00 | $66.80 |
| Yearly pay | $38,625.60 | $35,152.00 | $3,473.60 |
Gross pay before taxes, paid straight time for every hour entered. The Pasadena 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
“This new rate will remain in effect until June 30, 2027, when the next adjustment will occur.”
“The Pasadena Minimum Wage ordinance applies to employees who perform at least two hours of work in a particular week within the city of Pasadena.”
“An employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage per hour.”
“California’s fast-food worker’s minimum wage applies to all national fast-food chain establishments within the geographical boundaries of Pasadena and supersedes the local minimum wage rate if the employer meets the definition of “national fast-food chain.””
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Pasadena in 2026?
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Pasadena is $18.57 per hour, in effect since July 1, 2026. It is set by Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 5.02 (Minimum Wage Ordinance, effective July 1, 2016) and administered by the City of Pasadena Planning and Community Development Department, Code Compliance Division.
Will the Pasadena minimum wage go up in 2027?
Not announced yet. The city says the $18.57 rate remains in effect until June 30, 2027, when the next adjustment will occur, and that after several planned adjustments the Pasadena minimum wage is now updated each year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
How does the Pasadena minimum wage compare with the California and federal minimums?
The California statewide minimum is $16.90, so Pasadena is $1.67 higher. The federal minimum is $7.25. An employer must pay the highest rate that applies.
Who is covered by the Pasadena minimum wage?
The ordinance applies to adult and minor employees who work two hours or more per week in Pasadena, regardless of immigration or work status. Employers must display a notice in English and in any language spoken by more than 5 percent of persons at the worksite.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Pasadena?
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 Pasadena notice says employers must pay $18.57 per hour in addition to any tips received, and lists no separate tipped rate.
Are there different rates or exceptions in Pasadena?
Fast food: California sets a $20.00 per hour minimum wage for national fast-food chain establishments, and that state rate supersedes the Pasadena rate when the employer meets the state definition of a national fast-food chain.
Sources for Pasadena
- City of Pasadena: minimum wage news release, July 1, 2026 increase
- City of Pasadena: Official Notice, effective July 1, 2026
- City of Pasadena: Minimum Wage Ordinance handout, July 2026 to June 2027
- City of Pasadena: Minimum Wage Ordinance handout, July 2025 to June 2026
- City of Pasadena: Minimum Wage Ordinance handout, July 2024 to June 2025
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office: Minimum Wage FAQ
Sources checked October 30, 2026.
Each yearly handout states the July 1 start date and the rate for its year; the 2024 and 2025 rows come from the matching handouts.