On July 1, 2023, the minimum wage rate in the city of Berkeley increased to $18.07 per hour. This rate applies to work performed within the geographic boundaries of the City of Berkeley. If the employee performs the work outside the geographic boundaries of the City of Berkeley, but within California, then at least California’s state minimum wage rate laws would apply which currently mandate payment of at least $15.50 per hour.
Other geographic boundaries may have their own minimum wage laws, such as in the City of San Diego or the County of Los Angeles. Overlapping minimum wage protections at the city, county, state, and federal level require attention to detail to understand which applies. The short cut analysis is that the highest dollar amount among overlapping minimum wage rate laws for usually applies, regardless of the level of government that requires that minimum wage.