The minimum wage in California will increase to $16.50 per hour on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).

During the 2024 election, Californians rejected Proposition 32, which would have raised the minimum wage to $17 per hour in 2025. However, the state’s minimum wage rises 50 cents, from $16 per hour in 2024 to $16.50 in 2025.

The minimum wage is required for all California employers.

“[It] is an obligation of the employer and cannot be waived by any agreement, including collective bargaining agreements,” according to the DIR.

Here’s what know about minimum wage increases in California.

Higher minimum wage in some California cities

The state minimum wage applies to all of California, however, some cities and counties have enacted ordinances to offer a higher minimum wage.

For such cities, “the employer must follow the stricter standard; that is, the one that is the most beneficial to the employee,” and therefore must pay a higher minimum wage, according to the DIR.

Here is a list of California cities with a higher minimum wage.

Alameda: Minimum wage is $17.00 as of 7/1/2024.

Belmont: Minimum wage will be $18.30 effective 1/1/2025

Berkeley: Minimum wage is $18.67 as of 7/1/2024

Burlingame: Minimum wage will be $17.43 effective 1/1/2025

Cupertino: the minimum wage will be $18.20 effective 1/1/2025

Daly City: Minimum wage will be $17.07 effective 1/1/2025

East Palo Alto: Minimum wage will be $17.45 effective 1/1/2025

El Cerrito: Minimum wage will be $18.34 effective 1/1/2025

Emeryville: Minimum wage is $19.36 as of 7/1/2024

Foster City: Minimum wage will be $17.39 effective 1/1/2025

Fremont: Minimum wage is $17.30 as of 7/1/2024

Half Moon Bay: Minimum wage will be $17.47 effective 1/1/2025

Hayward: Minimum wage will be $17.36 effective 1/1/2025 for large employers (26 or more employees), and $16.50 for small employers (25 or fewer employees).

Los Altos: Minimum wage will be $18.20 effective 1/1/2025

Los Angeles: Minimum wage is $17.28 as of 7/1/2024

Los Angeles County (unincorporated): Minimum wage is $17.27 as of 7/1/2024

Malibu: Minimum wage is $17.27 as of 7/1/2024

Menlo Park: Minimum wage will be $17.10 effective 1/1/2025

Milpitas: Minimum wage is $17.70 as of 7/1/2024

Mountain View: Minimum wage will be $19.20 effective 1/1/2025

Novato: Starting on 1/1/2025 the minimum wage will be $17.27 per hour for very large businesses with 100 or more employees; $17.00 per hour for large businesses with 26-99 employees; and $16.50 per hour for small businesses with 1-25 employees.

Oakland: Minimum wage will be $16.89 effective 1/1/2025.

Palo Alto: Minimum wage will be $18.20 effective 1/1/2025

Pasadena: Minimum wage is $17.50 as of 7/1/2024

Petaluma: Minimum wage will be $17.97 effective 1/1/2025

Redwood City: Minimum wage will be $18.20 effective 1/1/2025

Richmond: Minimum wage will be $17.77 effective 1/1/2025

San Carlos: the minimum wage will be $17.32 effective 1/1/2025

San Diego: Minimum wage will be $17.25 effective 1/1/2025

San Francisco: Minimum wage is $18.67 as of 7/1/2024

San Jose: Minimum wage will be $17.95 effective 1/1/2025

San Mateo: Minimum wage will be $17.95 effective 1/1/2025

San Mateo County (unincorporated): Minimum wage will be $17.46 effective 1/1/2025

Santa Clara: Minimum wage will be $18.20 effective 1/1/2025

Santa Monica: Minimum wage is $17.27 as of 7/1/2024.

Santa Rosa: the minimum wage will be $17.87 effective 1/1/2025

Sonoma: Starting on 1/1/2025 the minimum wage will be $18.02 for large employers (26 or more employees), and $16.96 for small employers (25 or fewer employees).

South San Francisco: Minimum wage will be $17.70 effective 1/1/2025

Sunnyvale: Minimum wage will be $19.00 effective 1/1/2025

West Hollywood: Minimum wage will be $19.65 effective 1/1/2025

OAKLAND, Calif. – With the new year comes new laws in California. Specifically, there are at least three related to cars. 

Let’s take a look at what takes effect on Jan. 1. 

Parking near a crosswalk

AB 413 is also known as the “daylighting law.”  Drivers will no longer be able to park within 20 feet of an unmarked or marked crosswalk. The goal is to improve visibility for pedestrians and potentially reduce the number of accidents. More than 40 other states have some kind of daylighting law like this. In November, San Francisco tried to get a jumpstart on this law, and began issuing warning letters to drivers parked in those spaces. 

There is a 60-day grace period, but by March, drivers will face a fine, which will vary from city to city. Fines will range from $40 to $100. 

Locked door loophole

The locked door loophole, SB 905, requires prosecutors to prove car doors were locked when someone broke in. This makes it easier for prosecutors to address auto burglary and thefts. 

Driver’s license discrimination 

SB 1100 makes it illegal for a job posting to require applicants to have a valid driver’s license.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has set social media ablaze after voicing support for President-elect Donald Trump’s softened stance on H-1B visas, aligning himself with DOGE co-head Elon Musk. Newsom’s unexpected endorsement has left MAGA supporters in turmoil, with some accusing him of attempting to fracture the Republican base.
Newsom’s post on X (formerly Twitter) featured a screenshot of an article with the headline: “Trump supports immigration visas backed by Musk: ‘I have many H-1B visas on my properties.’” Alongside it, the Democratic governor wrote, “Good to see Trump embrace Elon’s position. Hardworking immigrants should continue to be part of our great nation.”
He elaborated, “From Silicon Valley to the Central Valley, we are better off when we have competition and top talent – from farmworkers, construction workers, CEOs, and beyond.”

The reaction from MAGA supporters was swift and furious. Some claimed the movement was unraveling, with one commenter writing, “The most radical Democrats are now shilling for Trump. MAGA has been cooked for some time, but now it’s burnt to a crisp.”
Others accused Newsom of exploiting the ongoing civil war within the MAGA ranks, urging supporters not to fall for his tactics. “This piece of [expletive] is just trying to stir up some [expletive]. Don’t fall for it,” one user cautioned.

A new rift in the MAGA base
The controversy follows a broader debate within Trump’s inner circle, fueled by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s advocacy for immigration visas. Musk recently liked a post suggesting Americans lack the skills for tech roles, while Ramaswamy called out “mediocrity” in American culture.
Newsom doubled down on his pro-immigration stance, posting hours earlier, “@ElonMusk is right when he said: ‘you need to recruit top talent wherever they may be.’” He added, “The same principle should apply to supporting our farmworkers, construction, and trades workers who build and feed our country. Top talent is top talent.”
As MAGA supporters debate their movement’s future, Newsom’s comments have exposed deep divisions, raising questions about Trump’s evolving positions and the ideological fault lines in American politics.