Key Takeaways
- The minimum wage in California is much higher and increases annually. See what your pay might be for 2024 and beyond.
- Think all California cities pay the same? Not exactly. Find out which local hotspots surprisingly offer some high minimum wages.
- The average Californian makes it a surprise, and it’s true that Silicon Valley is not the only place where one can make big in California. Uncover some less obvious cities with an impressively high average salary.
Minimum Wage In California In 2024
The minimum wage in California for all employers will be increased to $16.00 per hour as of January 1, 2024. This increase is up from $15.50 per hour compared to California minimum wage 2023. California is at the forefront of states increasing minimum wages to try and keep pace with fair wages needed to live.
The table below details the minimum wage rate for California cities in 2024. It shows how local ordinance rates (often above the state minimum wage of $16.00 per hour).
| City | Minimum Wage (2024) |
| Alameda | $16.52 |
| Belmont | $17.35 |
| Berkeley | $18.07 |
| Burlingame | $17.03 |
| Cupertino | $17.75 |
| Daly City | $16.62 |
| East Palo Alto | $17.10 |
| El Cerrito | $17.92 |
| Emeryville | $18.67 |
| Foster City | $17.00 |
| Fremont | $16.80 |
| Half Moon Bay | $17.01 |
| Hayward | $16.90 |
| Los Altos | $17.75 |
| Los Angeles | $16.78 |
| Los Angeles County | $15.96 |
| Malibu | $16.90 |
| Menlo Park | $16.70 |
| Milpitas | $17.20 |
| Mountain View | $18.75 |
| Novato | $16.86 (for businesses with 100+ employees) |
| Oakland | $16.50 |
| Palo Alto | $17.80 |
| Petaluma | $17.45 |
| Redwood City | $17.70 |
| Richmond | $17.20 |
| San Carlos | $16.87 |
| San Diego | $16.85 |
| San Jose | $17.55 |
| San Mateo | $17.35 |
| San Mateo County | $17.06 |
| Santa Clara | $17.75 |
| Santa Rosa | $17.45 |
| Sonoma | $17.60 (for businesses with 26+ employees) |
| South San Francisco | $17.25 |
| Sunnyvale | $18.55 |
| Pasadena | $17.50 |
| San Francisco | $18.67 |
| San Leandro | $17.00 |
| Santa Monica | $17.27 |
| West Hollywood | $17.50 |
How Much Does An Average California Citizen Made?
The average salary for a California citizen in 2024 is about $62,038/year, or approximately $29.83/hour. This number represents state averages across a wide range of degree levels and industries and thus could be for any number of reasons. It’s all relative since better-paying fields compared to the minimum wage in California 2023 include technology, entertainment, and healthcare, well over the state average.
Geographical region is another important factor affecting salary, as technical centers like San Francisco and Silicon Valley generally have much higher wages than rural areas. Education, experience, and the conditions of the general economy also bear on earnings.
Minimum wage California 2024
The more considerable median household income in California is $91,551, putting that figure into a more general perspective on economic well-being. Notably, the state’s salary and household income are above the national average. This reflects the state’s muscular economy and cost of living.
What Do The Most Popular Jobs In California Pay?
According to Indeed, here are 8 of the most popular jobs (aka high-demand jobs) in California Pay, along with their minimum wage California 2024:
- Food Service Worker – $25,395 per year
- Personal Care Assistant – $33,392 per year
- Teacher – $35,922 per year
- Personal Trainer – $37,935 per year
- Housekeeper – $44,640 per year
- Administrative Assistant – $47,412 per year
- Wind Turbine Technician – $47,886 per year
- Groundskeeper – $48,453 per year
- Massage Therapist – $48,618 per year
- Paralegal – $52,088 per year
Which Cities In California Have The Highest Average Salary?
Some of the cities in California with the highest average salary in 2024 include East San Gabriel, Foster City, and Berkeley.
- Starting with East San Gabriel, with an average annual compensation of $219,808, reflects its affluent neighborhoods and closeness to Los Angeles.
- Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Foster City is next at a $104,169 average salary, benefiting from high-paying positions within the technology industry.
- Berkeley is known for its top university-going and great economic going, which pays an average of $113,966.
- Other cities that have high averages in wages earned are Santa Monica and Daly City, with a reviewer average annual salary of $110,000 and $107,500, respectively.
Which Jobs Have The Highest Salaries In California?
One of the highest-paying jobs in California tends to be in medical or executive positions. The top-paying job is an anesthesiologist, with an average of $369,817 per year, and the primary staff is psychiatrists, with the next highest being $259,250 per year.
The minimum wage in California
Tax Partner and Mortgage loan originator are paid a median salary of $400,000 and $362,500 per year, respectively.
The chief medical officer is bestowed on medical directors or physicians heading medical departments in hospitals and healthcare systems. They also do well financially, earning an average annual income of about $297,469
What Is A Good Hourly Wage In California?
A good hourly wage in California would depend on the area, the line of work one does, and other personal factors. However, the estimated living wage in California for 2024 was approximately $27.50 per hour for a single adult without children, a rate deemed adequate to cover basic living expenses: housing, food, healthcare, and transportation.
It increases when the household size increases, with children or more than one working adult. For example, an adult with one child would need about $47.96 to meet ends. By contrast, the state minimum wage on January 1st, 2024, is fixed at 16.00 dollars per hour for all employers.
What Are Full-Time Hours In California?
In California, a full-time job typically means working 40 hours a week. But thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you’re also considered full-time regarding benefits if you work 30 hours or more per week.
So, even if you’re not hitting the traditional 40-hour mark, working at least 30 hours a week can still get you those crucial benefits.
Can A Person Live In California On $50k A Year?
Yes, you can live in California on $50,000 a year, but it will require careful budgeting. You’ll take home approximately $3,313 a month after taxes. Essential expenses will include housing- $ 1,360 to $1,525 for a studio or one-bedroom- utilities/transportation, $300 to $500, and groceries at $300 to $400. Then there’s managing healthcare costs and discretionary spending. Of course, it’s not an incredibly luxurious life, but it’s comfortable if you consider financial planning.
Ms. Tracy has worked in human resource consulting for over 15 years. A driven entrepreneur focused on business expansion and people development. She previously worked as Country Manager for an international Australia firm that specializes in global workforce management, as well as several key roles as Business Growth Director and Executive Search Director for both large local firms to effectively drive their business growth. A strong emphasis is placed on aligning organizational priorities/objectives with business needs. She has a large network of local business leaders and a thorough understanding of the local market.
