Your Employer Owes You Money

California Minimum Wage (2025)

State Rate: \$16.50 per hour

California's minimum wage is significantly higher than federal minimum wage (\$7.25). Many cities and counties have even higher local minimum wages:

• Los Angeles: \$17.28/hour
• San Francisco: \$18.67/hour
• Berkeley: \$18.07/hour
• Palo Alto: \$17.75/hour

Daily Overtime Rules

California requires overtime pay for:

• More than 8 hours in a single day (1.5x rate)
• More than 12 hours in a single day (2x rate)
• More than 40 hours in a week (1.5x rate)
• 7th consecutive day worked (1.5x rate)
• More than 8 hours on 7th day (2x rate)

This is much stronger protection than federal law, which only requires weekly overtime.

Meal & Rest Break Requirements

Meal Breaks:

• 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts over 5 hours
• Second meal break for shifts over 10 hours
• 1 hour penalty pay for each missed meal break

Rest Breaks:

• 10-minute paid rest break for every 4 hours worked
• 1 hour penalty pay for each missed rest break

Double Time Requirements

California requires double time pay (2x regular rate) for:

• More than 12 hours worked in a single day
• More than 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day

Very few states require double time - this is a significant California advantage for workers.

Waiting Time Penalties

If your employer fails to pay final wages promptly:

• Fired: Final pay due immediately
• Quit: Final pay due within 72 hours
• Penalty: Up to 30 days additional wages for late payment

This can result in substantial additional compensation beyond unpaid wages.

Reporting Time Pay

California requires "reporting time pay" when:

• You report to work but are sent home early
• You're scheduled but not given work
• Minimum: Half your scheduled shift (2-4 hours minimum)

This protects workers from unpredictable scheduling practices.