Berkeley vs Oakland
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Oakland, CA?
Berkeley and Oakland have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley adopted its own Minimum Wage Ordinance in 2014 with annual indexing, and the local rate reached $18.07 per hour in 2025, applying to nearly every employee performing at least two hours of work weekly within city limits.
View full Berkeley rules →Oakland, CA
Alameda County
Oakland voters adopted Measure FF in 2014, setting a $12.25 minimum wage starting March 2015 with annual CPI indexing. Wages exceed the California state minimum and apply to all employees working at least two hours per week in Oakland.
View full Oakland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 rate | $18.07 per hour | - |
| Adopted | 2014 ordinance | Measure FF, 2014 |
| Indexing | Bay Area CPI annually | Annual Bay Area CPI |
| Hours threshold | 2 hours per week | - |
| Code | - | OMC Chapter 5.92 |
| Effective | - | March 2015 |
| Tip credit | - | Not allowed |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Does the rate apply to tipped workers?
Yes. California law forbids tip credits, so Berkeley employers must pay the full local minimum wage on top of any gratuities the worker receives.
What if my employer is based outside Berkeley?
It still applies. Anyone performing at least two hours of work in Berkeley in a week earns the city minimum for those hours regardless of employer headquarters.
Oakland FAQ
Who is covered?
Any employee performing at least two hours of work per week in Oakland, including part-time and temporary workers, regardless of employer location.
Can tips count toward the wage?
No. Oakland prohibits tip credits; tips are in addition to the full minimum wage. Service charges must also be distributed to workers.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and Oakland compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool