California sets a statewide minimum wage of $16.50 per hour effective 2026 under Labor Code section 1182.12. Riverside County does not set a separate county-wide wage floor for unincorporated areas above the state rate.
Labor Code section 1182.12 establishes the California minimum wage, which reached $16.50 per hour in 2026 with annual CPI adjustments. Specific industries face higher state floors, including fast-food workers at $20 and certain healthcare workers at $25 under SB 525. Riverside County has not adopted a higher unincorporated-area wage. Charter cities may set local wage floors, but Riverside County, as a general-law county, applies the state rate. Employers must post wage notices, pay overtime after 8 hours daily or 40 weekly, and provide itemized wage statements.
Wage theft triggers Labor Commissioner claims, civil penalties of $100 to $250 per pay period, plus liquidated damages and attorney fees under Labor Code section 1194.
See how Riverside County's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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