Minimum Wage Preemption: Castro Valley vs Oakland
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and Oakland, CA?
Castro Valley and Oakland have similar restriction levels.
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County
California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, currently $16.50 per hour for all employers as of 2025. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher minimums; many cities exceed the state rate substantially.
View full Castro Valley 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 | Castro Valley | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide Rate (2025) | $16.50/hour | - |
| Statute | Labor Code 1182.12 | - |
| Fast Food Rate | $20/hour | - |
| Local Higher Allowed | Yes | - |
| Code | - | OMC Chapter 5.92 |
| Adopted | - | Measure FF, 2014 |
| Effective | - | March 2015 |
| Indexing | - | Annual Bay Area CPI |
| Tip credit | - | Not allowed |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castro Valley FAQ
What is California's minimum wage in 2025?
$16.50 per hour for all employers under Labor Code 1182.12. Fast-food workers earn $20 minimum and covered healthcare workers up to $25 under sector-specific laws.
Can California cities set higher minimum wages?
Yes. State law establishes a floor, not a ceiling. Many California cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Berkeley enforce higher local minimum wages.
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.
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