San Jose Minimum Wage 2026 and 2027
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in San Jose is $18.45 per hour, in effect since January 1, 2026. It is set by the local ordinance and is $1.55 above the California statewide minimum of $16.90 and $11.20 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)
$18.45
In effect since January 1, 2026
2027 status: Scheduled
$19.00
Effective January 1, 2027
Compared with California
$1.55 higher
California statewide rate $16.90; federal $7.25
San Jose minimum wage rates
| Group | Rate on October 30, 2026 | Since | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All employees | $18.45 | January 1, 2026 | $19.00 |
Set by San Jose Minimum Wage Ordinance (Ordinance 29829, approved by voters on November 12, 2012). Administered by the City of San Jose Office of Equality Assurance (OEA).
San Jose minimum wage in 2027: Scheduled
The city's 2027 Official Minimum Wage Bulletin lists $19.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2027. The city rate history shows a change every January 1.
The city rate history shows a change every January 1.
Tipped workers
Tips don't count toward minimum wage, according to the city's official bulletin, and California law does not allow a tip credit. The city lists one rate per year and no separate tipped rate.
Who is covered
Workers qualify if they work 2 or more hours per week, according to the official bulletin, and immigration status does not matter.
The ordinance sets an hourly rate of pay that employers must pay their workers for work performed within the City of San Jose.
Tiers and exceptions
- The city lists no tiers or exceptions. The Office of Equality Assurance (OEA) also enforces minimum wage ordinances for Mountain View, Santa Clara, Palo Alto and Milpitas, which have their own rates.
San Jose compared with California and the federal minimum
| Minimum wage | October 30, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $18.45 | $19.00 |
| 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.
San Jose rate history
| Effective | All employees |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | $18.45 |
| January 1, 2025 | $17.95 |
| January 1, 2024 | $17.55 |
| January 1, 2023 | $17.00 |
| January 1, 2022 | $16.20 |
| January 1, 2021 | $15.45 |
| 2020 | $15.25 |
| 2019 | $15.00 |
| 2018 | $13.50 |
| 2017 | $12.00 |
| 2016 | $10.30 |
| 2015 | $10.30 |
| 2014 | $10.15 |
| March 1, 2013 | $10.00 |
| January 1, 2027 (scheduled) | $19.00 |
San Jose minimum wage pay calculator
| Gross pay | San Jose ($18.45) | California ($16.90) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly pay | $738.00 | $676.00 | $62.00 |
| Yearly pay | $38,376.00 | $35,152.00 | $3,224.00 |
Gross pay before taxes, paid straight time for every hour entered. The San Jose 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
“Voters approved the minimum wage ordinance on November 12, 2012. The ordinance set an hourly rate of pay that employers must pay their workers for work performed within the City.”
“You qualify if you work 2 or more hours per week.”
“An employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage per hour.”
“Tips don't count toward minimum wage.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in San Jose in 2026?
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in San Jose is $18.45 per hour, in effect since January 1, 2026. It is set by San Jose Minimum Wage Ordinance (Ordinance 29829, approved by voters on November 12, 2012) and administered by the City of San Jose Office of Equality Assurance (OEA).
Will the San Jose minimum wage go up in 2027?
The city's 2027 Official Minimum Wage Bulletin lists $19.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2027. The city rate history shows a change every January 1.
How does the San Jose minimum wage compare with the California and federal minimums?
The California statewide minimum is $16.90, so San Jose is $1.55 higher. The federal minimum is $7.25. An employer must pay the highest rate that applies.
Who is covered by the San Jose minimum wage?
Workers qualify if they work 2 or more hours per week, according to the official bulletin, and immigration status does not matter. The ordinance sets an hourly rate of pay that employers must pay their workers for work performed within the City of San Jose.
What is the tipped minimum wage in San Jose?
Tips don't count toward minimum wage, according to the city's official bulletin, and California law does not allow a tip credit. The city lists one rate per year and no separate tipped rate.
Are there different rates or exceptions in San Jose?
The city lists no tiers or exceptions. The Office of Equality Assurance (OEA) also enforces minimum wage ordinances for Mountain View, Santa Clara, Palo Alto and Milpitas, which have their own rates.
Sources for San Jose
- City of San Jose: Minimum Wage Ordinance
- City of San Jose: 2027 Official Minimum Wage Bulletin
- City of San Jose: 2026 Official Minimum Wage Bulletin
- City of San Jose: Historical Minimum Wage Increases
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office: Minimum Wage FAQ
Sources checked October 30, 2026.
Rates before 2021 are from the Historical Minimum Wage Increases document, which gives the year and not the day; the 2013 rate started March 1, 2013.