Sunnyvale Minimum Wage 2026 and 2027
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Sunnyvale is $19.50 per hour, in effect since January 1, 2026. It is set by the local ordinance and is $2.60 above the California statewide minimum of $16.90 and $12.25 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)
$19.50
In effect since January 1, 2026
2027 status: Scheduled
$20.05
Effective January 1, 2027
Compared with California
$2.60 higher
California statewide rate $16.90; federal $7.25
Sunnyvale minimum wage rates
| Group | Rate on October 30, 2026 | Since | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All employees | $19.50 | January 1, 2026 | $20.05 |
Set by Sunnyvale Minimum Wage Ordinance. Administered by the City of Sunnyvale Economic Development Division.
Sunnyvale minimum wage in 2027: Scheduled
The city page lists $20.05 per hour effective January 1, 2027, up from $19.50. Sunnyvale's ordinance adjusts the rate each year based on inflation using the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward regional Consumer Price Index.
The rate includes an annual adjustment based on the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI); any increase corresponds to the prior year's CPI for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward region.
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 Sunnyvale page lists one rate and no separate tipped rate.
Who is covered
Covered employees include anyone who performs two hours or more of work per week in Sunnyvale, and they are entitled to these rights regardless of immigration status. Employers must keep records of hours worked for four years and give employees their name, business address and phone number in writing at hire.
Tiers and exceptions
- The Sunnyvale page lists no lower rate, youth rate or exemption. This page does not summarize the ordinance text, so confirm any other exemption with the city.
- The city rate history on the page begins with $8.00 in 2009 (year only), shows mid-year steps on July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2016, and has changed every January 1 since 2017.
Sunnyvale compared with California and the federal minimum
| Minimum wage | October 30, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale | $19.50 | $20.05 |
| 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.
Sunnyvale rate history
| Effective | All employees |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | $19.50 |
| January 1, 2025 | $19.00 |
| January 1, 2024 | $18.55 |
| January 1, 2023 | $17.95 |
| January 1, 2022 | $17.10 |
| January 1, 2021 | $16.30 |
| January 1, 2020 | $16.05 |
| January 1, 2019 | $15.65 |
| January 1, 2018 | $15.00 |
| January 1, 2017 | $13.00 |
| July 1, 2016 | $11.00 |
| January 1, 2015 | $10.30 |
| July 1, 2014 | $9.00 |
| January 1, 2027 (scheduled) | $20.05 |
Sunnyvale minimum wage pay calculator
| Gross pay | Sunnyvale ($19.50) | California ($16.90) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly pay | $780.00 | $676.00 | $104.00 |
| Yearly pay | $40,560.00 | $35,152.00 | $5,408.00 |
Gross pay before taxes, paid straight time for every hour entered. The Sunnyvale 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
“Covered employees include anyone who performs two hours or more of work per week in Sunnyvale.”
“The rate includes an annual adjustment based on the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI).”
“An employer may not use an employee's tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the minimum wage per hour.”
“The City’s ordinance adjusts the rate each year based on inflation.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Sunnyvale in 2026?
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Sunnyvale is $19.50 per hour, in effect since January 1, 2026. It is set by Sunnyvale Minimum Wage Ordinance and administered by the City of Sunnyvale Economic Development Division.
Will the Sunnyvale minimum wage go up in 2027?
The city page lists $20.05 per hour effective January 1, 2027, up from $19.50. Sunnyvale's ordinance adjusts the rate each year based on inflation using the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward regional Consumer Price Index.
How does the Sunnyvale minimum wage compare with the California and federal minimums?
The California statewide minimum is $16.90, so Sunnyvale is $2.60 higher. The federal minimum is $7.25. An employer must pay the highest rate that applies.
Who is covered by the Sunnyvale minimum wage?
Covered employees include anyone who performs two hours or more of work per week in Sunnyvale, and they are entitled to these rights regardless of immigration status. Employers must keep records of hours worked for four years and give employees their name, business address and phone number in writing at hire.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Sunnyvale?
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 Sunnyvale page lists one rate and no separate tipped rate.
Are there different rates or exceptions in Sunnyvale?
The Sunnyvale page lists no lower rate, youth rate or exemption. This page does not summarize the ordinance text, so confirm any other exemption with the city.
Sources for Sunnyvale
- City of Sunnyvale: Minimum Wage in Sunnyvale
- City of Sunnyvale: Minimum Wage Increases to $19.50, Jan. 1
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office: Minimum Wage FAQ
The rate lines were read on the live city page on October 30, 2026; the news release was read from an Internet Archive copy captured June 5, 2026.
The first step in the city's rate history is shown by year only on the page ($8.00 in 2009), so the table above starts with the first exact date.