California Minimum Wage
Labor Code 1182.12
Regulatory Snapshot: California Minimum Wage
California Minimum Wage (Labor Code 1182.12) is an enacted law in California under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2024-01-01 and becomes effective on 2025-01-01. California currently reports 12 tracked regulations with 12 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 100/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places California within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in Labor Code 1182.12 itself.
Applicability under California Minimum Wage: All California employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Labor Commissioner enforcement. Civil penalties + back pay. Private action permitted. Notable exemptions: Outside salespeople. Some apprentices..
Summary
California minimum wage $16.50/hr (2025). Healthcare sector: $18-$23/hr phased. Fast food workers (26+ locations): $20/hr since April 2024.
Key Requirements
$16.50/hr general (2025). Fast food chains 26+ locations: $20/hr. Healthcare workers: phased $18-$23/hr. No lower tipped wage. Annual indexing.
Penalties
Labor Commissioner enforcement. Civil penalties + back pay. Private action permitted.
Applicability
All California employers.
Exemptions
Outside salespeople. Some apprentices.
Official Source
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_minimumwage.htmFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. California is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was California Minimum Wage enacted?
California Minimum Wage was enacted on 2024-01-01 and became effective on 2025-01-01. It was introduced as Labor Code 1182.12.
What are the penalties for violating California Minimum Wage?
Labor Commissioner enforcement. Civil penalties + back pay. Private action permitted. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does California Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
All California employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does California compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
California has a regulatory strictness score of 100/100, based on 12 enacted regulations out of 12 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of California Minimum Wage?
The official text of California Minimum Wage (Labor Code 1182.12) is available from the California legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |