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San Bernardino County, CA Employment Preemption: Minimum Wage Preemption (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

2026 state rate
$16.50 per hour
Indexing
Annual inflation
Fast food
$20 per hour
Local rate
None in SBC

Summary

San Bernardino County does not set a local minimum wage, so the California statewide rate of 16.50 dollars per hour applies in 2026 to most employers in unincorporated areas, with annual inflation indexing.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

1182.12.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, on and after July 1, 2014, the minimum wage for all industries shall be not less than nine dollars ($9) per hour, and on and after January 1, 2016, the minimum wage for all industries shall be not less than ten dollars ($10) per hour.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the minimum wage for all industries shall not be less than the amounts set forth in this subdivision, except when the scheduled increases in paragraphs (1) and (2) are temporarily suspended under subdivision (d).

(1) For any employer who employs 26 or more employees, the minimum wage shall be as follows:

(A) From January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, inclusive,—ten dollars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour.

(B) From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, inclusive,—eleven dollars ($11) per hour.

(C) From January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019, inclusive,—twelve dollars ($12) per hour.

(D) From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, inclusive,—thirteen dollars ($13) per hour.

(E) From January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, inclusive,—fourteen dollars ($14) per hour.

(F) From January 1, 2022, and until adjusted by subdivision (c)—fifteen dollars ($15) per hour.

(2) For any employer who employs 25 or fewer employees, the minimum wage shall be as follows:

(A) From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, inclusive,—ten dollars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour.

(B) From January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019, inclusive,—eleven dollars ($11) per hour.

(C) From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, inclusive,—twelve dollars ($12) per hour.

(D) From January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, inclusive,—thirteen dollars ($13) per hour.

(E) From January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, inclusive,—fourteen dollars ($14) per hour.

(F) From January 1, 2023, and until adjusted by subdivision (c)—fifteen dollars ($15) per hour.

(3) For purposes of this subdivision, “employer” means any person who directly or indirectly, or through an agent or any other person, employs or exercises control over the wages, hours, or working conditions of any person. For purposes of this subdivision, “employer” includes the state, political subdivisions of the state, and municipalities.

(4) Employees who are treated as employed by a single qualified taxpayer under subdivision (h) of Section 23626 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as it read on the effective date of this section, shall be considered employees of that taxpayer for purposes of this subdivision.

(c) (1) Following the implementation of the minimum wage increase specified in subparagraph (F) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), on or before August 1 of that year, and on or before each August 1 thereafter, the Director of Finance shall calculate an adjusted minimum wage. The calculation shall increase the minimum wage by the lesser of 3.5 percent and the rate of change in the averages of the most recent July 1 to June 30, inclusive, period over the preceding July 1 to June 30, inclusive, period for

Source: California Labor CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

California Labor Code section 1182.12 sets a statewide minimum wage that the Department of Industrial Relations adjusts annually for inflation. The 2026 rate is 16.50 dollars per hour for all employers regardless of size. San Bernardino County has not adopted a higher local floor, unlike some Bay Area and Los Angeles jurisdictions. Industry-specific wages remain higher, including the fast-food minimum at 20 dollars per hour and the health-care minimum schedule under SB 525, both of which preempt the general state rate within their covered sectors.

Violations & Fines

Paying below the state minimum exposes employers to back wages, liquidated damages, and Labor Commissioner enforcement under PAGA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Bernardino County have a higher minimum wage?
No. SBC follows the statewide California minimum wage; only certain cities and industry sectors such as fast food and large healthcare facilities require higher pay floors under state law.
Does the wage apply to teen workers?
Yes. California has no separate teen or training wage at the state level, so workers under 18 in unincorporated San Bernardino County earn the same statewide minimum wage as adult employees.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Bernardino County

All San Bernardino County rules

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Minimum Wage Preemption in Cities Across San Bernardino County