08/07/2026
California’s 2027 minimum wage is official and for employers, $17.40 an hour is only the beginning.
Starting January 1, 2027, the statewide minimum wage increases to $17.40 per hour for most non-exempt employees. That also pushes the minimum salary threshold for many exempt employees to $72,384 per year, and remember, meeting the salary threshold alone isn’t enough. The duties test still matters.
And because this is California...there may be another layer. Employers also need to consider local city and county minimum wages, industry-specific requirements for healthcare and fast food, and special rules covering certain physicians, computer professionals and outside sales employees.
Not sure which rules apply to your workforce? That’s where People Rock HR Services can help. We help California employers understand their obligations, reduce compliance risk and prepare for changes before they become problems.
Don’t wait until January. Start planning for 2027 now.