Santa Monica Minimum Wage 2026 (CA)
Last updated: · Part of California
Santa Monica, CA · Minimum Wage 2026
$17.27/hr
Effective 2026-07-01
Local ordinance
Santa Monica Minimum Wage vs. California
| Jurisdiction | Minimum Wage | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica | $17.27/hr | — |
| California (state rate) | $16.50/hr | City is +$0.77/hr higher |
Does Santa Monica Have Its Own Minimum Wage?
A city or county minimum wage ordinance sets a higher local wage floor than the state minimum, and employers within that jurisdiction must pay the higher local rate.
Yes. Santa Monica has enacted its own local minimum wage ordinance, currently set at $17.27/hr, effective 2026-07-01. This rate is higher than the California state minimum wage of $16.50/hr, and covered employers in Santa Monica must pay the local rate.
Santa Monica Wage Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum wage in Santa Monica is $17.27 per hour, set by the city's own local ordinance, effective 2026-07-01.
Yes. Santa Monica has enacted a local minimum wage ordinance set at $17.27/hr, higher than the California state minimum of $16.50/hr.
Santa Monica's minimum wage of $17.27/hr is $0.77/hr higher than the California state minimum of $16.50/hr.