California's $16 minimum wage is among the nation's highest, but ongoing debate questions if it's enough for low-wage workers to afford a decent living. (Shutterstock)
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16173534/highlights-banner-blue-300x94-1.png)
- California's minimum wage is among the highest in the nation at $16.
- The increase in minimum wage was inspired by the high cost of living in California.
- There is ongoing debate about whether the current minimum wage is sufficient for a decent living.
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Adam Ashton
CalMatters
Liliana Michelena
CalMatters
It’s really expensive to live in California. That fact, more than anything, inspired a decade of policy changes in the Capitol to raise the minimum wage for California workers.
Today, California’s $16 minimum wage is among the highest in the nation, but there is ongoing debate about whether it is enough for low-wage workers to afford a decent living. Meanwhile, business owners say they’re passing the higher labor costs on to customers at the register.
Here’s a Look at How California Increased Pay for Low-Wage Workers and What the Changes Mean for the State’s Economy.
About the Authors
Adam Ashton is a deputy editor supervising CalMatters’ coverage of health care, mental health and criminal justice. Adam previously led the local news staff as assistant managing editor at The Sacramento Bee, prioritizing coverage of homelessness, public safety, education and underserved communities.
Liliana is a reporter, multimedia producer and former professional soccer player from Lima, Peru. She was a correspondent at the 2016 Rio Olympics for El Comercio, and later covered the aftermath for The Associated Press.
About CalMatters
CalMatters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California policy and politics.
RELATED TOPICS:
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
7 hours ago
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
7 hours ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
10 hours ago
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
11 hours ago
Measure P Arts Grants Spark Debate and a Meeting Tonight
11 hours ago
Tedford Exits Fresno State Football. Tim Skipper Is the Next Bulldog Up.
11 hours ago
Trump Receives Enough Delegate Votes to Officially be Republicans’ Nominee
12 hours ago
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
6 hours ago
Categories
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15173402/A-photo-provided-by-Jesse-Pope-shows-Cody-Jay-Pope-right-with-him-in-2012.-The-authorities-found-the-body-of-Cody-Jay-Pope-a-41-year-old-Minnesota-man-who-had-disappeared-two-days-earlier-after-1024x538.jpg)
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15150557/AP24197467333843-1024x576.jpg)
Is Inflation Finally Corralled? Powell Says Federal Reserve Believes It’s Close
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15171647/Los-Hooligans-court_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15172819/President-Joe-Biden-arrives-to-speak-to-members-of-the-media-in-Rehoboth-Beach-Del.-about-the-shooting-incident-at-Donald-Trumps-rally-in-Pa.-on-Saturday-July-13-2024.-President-Biden-said-o-1024x538.jpg)
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15144853/AP24197697589922_-1024x576.jpg)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15120621/lawsuit-against-respiratory-care-facility_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
![The Wines of Fresno: Tony Kirk, Birdstone Winery](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12152749/Tony-Kirk-Birdstone-Winery-016-1-1024x576.jpg)