Thousand Oaks has not enacted a local minimum wage. All employers follow the California statewide minimum wage of $16.50 per hour, indexed annually for inflation under Labor Code §1182.12 and Senate Bill 3.
California permits but does not require cities to adopt higher local minimum wages. Thousand Oaks has declined to do so, leaving the statewide floor in effect citywide. The 2025-26 California minimum wage is $16.50 per hour for all employers regardless of size, and the Director of Finance must adjust the rate each January based on the U.S. CPI-W. Industry-specific California floors apply to fast-food workers ($20) and certain healthcare workers (phased schedule). California prohibits tip credits, so tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage. Wage claims are handled by the California Labor Commissioner's Office.
Wage underpayment exposes employers to back wages, liquidated damages, waiting-time penalties under Labor Code §203, and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) suits.
See how other cities in Ventura County handle minimum wage preemption.
See how Thousand Oaks's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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