The State of California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently released a revised 2026 version of the state’s minimum wage notice. Every employer, regardless of the number of employees, must update their current 2025 California Minimum Wage poster to the 2026 version.
What Are California’s Minimum Wages in 2026?
On January 1st, 2026, California’s state minimum wage will increase from $16.50 per hour to $16.90 per hour for all employees. The increase is part of a multi-year update initially created to help businesses keep up with the cost of living. The increase in the minimum wage also requires employees to earn at least $70,304 annually to be considered exempt from overtime.
However, the recent update to California’s minimum wage does not change the minimum wages previously set for two different industries within the state: fast food and healthcare. Previously, the Minimum Wage notice for fast food restaurant employees was released on April 1st, 2024. The Minimum Wage supplement for healthcare employees was released on July 1 of this year. The Fast Food poster states that the minimum wage for specific fast food employees can be no less than $20.00 per hour beginning on April 1st, 2024. There is no end date on that notice, meaning that it is still in effect to the date of this blog post’s writing. The healthcare employees poster has an end date of 6/2026, so we should expect updates to the associated healthcare minimum wages at that time.
It is also important to note that many California cities, counties, and municipalities have their own minimum wages, which will also be updated on January 1st, 2026. Affected employers within those areas may also be required to display a minimum wage notice for that increase, along with the state’s Minimum Wage poster.
What Other Updates Are Included on the 2026 California Minimum Wage Poster?
Additionally, the state’s DIR updated the information on the poster’s Meals and Lodging Credits table. After removing information that was relevant to the year 2022, updated amounts reflecting 2026 inflation were included. The information in this table also applies to all California employers, regardless of the number of employees.
Finally, the 2026 California Minimum Wage poster notes that the information included in this updated required notice amends the Industrial Welfare Commission’s (IWC’s) industry and occupation orders. Specifically, Orders 1-15, sections 4 and 10, and Order 16, sections 4 and 9.
Employer Takeaways
California employers must conspicuously display the state’s revised 2026 Minimum Wage notice, which takes effect on January 1st, 2026, in a well-traveled, conspicuous area that is easily accessible to workers.
Labor Law Posters Online's revised 2026 California State & Federal Labor Law Poster now includes the recently released Minimum Wage notice. Labor Law Posters Online guarantees that all recent updates to any required state and federal posters are included on our compliance notices. Current Labor Law Posters Online compliance service subscribers will receive this and any other revised or updated posters at no cost.