Local Minimum Wage Increases in July 2020 – Is Your Employer Compliant?

Posted on Wednesday October 07, 2020

Many employees who receive minimum wage should have had their pay increased in July 2020. It is important to make sure that your employer complies and, if not, that you seek the right legal help from a California minimum wage attorney. 

The law required employers across California to raise the minimum wage on January 1, 2020, to $13.00 per hour if a company has 26 or more employees, or to $12.00 per hour if a company has 25 employers or fewer. However, some local jurisdictions throughout the state set their own minimum wage increases for July, which means that employees in these areas should have received their minimum wage hike on July 1, 2020. If you believe that your employer did not properly increase your wages over the summer, you should schedule a consultation with California minimum wage lawyers to discuss your legal options right away. 

Required Wage Increases

Jurisdictions can set their own minimum wage standards that are higher than the statewide minimum wage. Some cities opted to increase minimum wage at the start of the year, while others set the increase for July 1 of each year. Employees in the following cities should have received the following increases:

• Alameda = $15.00 per hour
• Berkeley = $15.59 per hour
• Emeryville = $16.84 per hour
• Fremont = $15.00 per hour for larger employers, $13.00 per hour for smaller employers
• Los Angeles City = $15.00 per hour for larger employers, $14.25 per hour for smaller employers
• Malibu = $15.00 per hour for larger employers, $14.25 per hour for smaller employers
• Milpitas = $15.40 per hour
• Novato = $15.00 per hour for very large employers (over 100), $14.00 for larger employers, $13.00 per hour for smaller employers
• Pasadena = $15.00 per hour for larger employers, $14.25 per hour for smaller employers
• San Francisco = $16.07 per hour
• San Leandro = $15.00 per hour
• Santa Monica = $15.00 per hour for larger employers, $14.25 per hour for smaller employers
• Santa Rosa = $15.00 per hour for larger employers, $14.00 per hour for smaller employers

If you work in one of the above localities, you should check your pay statement if you have not already done so. If you receive minimum wage, you should see the increase reflected on your statement starting for work completed in July. 

Minimum wage increases are regular in California in recent years, and some employers have difficulty keeping up with both state and local requirements. However, it is your right as an employee to receive the wages you deserve, and not knowing the law is no excuse for your employer to deprive you of minimum wage. 

Consult with Our Experienced California Minimum Wage Lawyers

You might think that small increases are not that big of a deal, but even a $0.25 per hour increase can add up to $520 per year – or more if you work overtime. If you have unpaid wages, an experienced California minimum wage attorney at Mara Law Firm can assist you in receiving the back pay you deserve. Call (619) 234-2833 or contact us online for a free case evaluation today.