In California, the minimum wage for non-exempt employees, like waitresses, is $13.00 per hour for businesses with 26 or more employees. For smaller businesses, it's $12.00 per hour, but let's be real, most restaurants have way more than 26 employees, it's like a cast of thousands back there. And, if you're working in a major city like Los Angeles or San Francisco, you can expect even higher wages, up to $15.00 per hour, cha-ching!
Now, I know what you're thinking, "What about tip pooling, do waitresses have to share their tips with the rest of the staff?" Well, in California, it's illegal for employers to require employees to participate in tip pooling, unless it's a voluntary agreement, and even then, there are rules. So, if you're a waitress in California, you get to keep your hard-earned tips, all to yourself, unless you want to share, that is.
But, here's a fun fact, did you know that the minimum wage for waitresses in California is actually higher than the federal minimum wage for tipped employees, which is $2.13 per hour, yikes? Yeah, California is like the land of milk and honey for waitresses, or at least, that's what I've heard. And, let's not forget, with the rising cost of living in California, that $13.00 hourly wage is just enough to cover the basics, like rent, food, and avocado toast.
California Minimum Wage 2026: A Comprehensive Overview - John D. Hylton
