From January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017, California required employers with 25 or less employees to pay a minimum wage of $10.00 per hour and employers with 26 or more employees to pay a minimum wage of $11.00 per hour.
As of January 1, 2018, California had a minimum wage of $10.50 per hour for employers with 25 employees or less and $11.00 per hour for employers with 26 employees or more.
Beginning January 1, 2019, California instituted a minimum wage $11.00 per hour for employers with 25 or less employees and $12.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees.
Please note that many municipalities or cities also have their own minimum wage ordinances that set the minimum wage for all work performed in city limits higher than California’s minimum wage. For example, for example, San Francisco had a minimum wage of $14.00 per hour, which began on July 1, 2017. On July 1, 2018, San Francisco’s minimum wage increased to $15.00 per hour. On July 1st of each following year, San Francisco’s minimum wage will increase based on the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index. Employees should look up California and city minimum wages every year to make sure they are aware of any increased rates.
Finally, note that there are several exceptions and exemptions to minimum wage requirements in California, such as for outside salespersons.
(See Link(s): Labor Code Sections 1182, 1182.12, Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders and San Francisco Minimum Wage Ordinance)