Do you work in San Diego? This article is for you and for a good reason. From 2026, the minimum wage in the city will rise again. This increment is part of a local policy that aims to have fairer salaries that are closer to the high cost of living in the region. With this change, more workers could receive an income that will allow them to cover the daily basic needs. So, let’s find out more about this important minimum wage change in San Diego.
Minimum wage in San Diego in 2026
I’m sure if you work in San Diego you want to know when this change will be applied, right? Well, let me tell you it’s very soon: January 1, 2026. Now, the big question is: how much will that increment be? The minimum wage will increase 50 cents, so workers will earn $17.75 per hour.
This increment is applied to every worker who works at least two hours inside the city in one or more weeks of the year. It does not matter if the worker is full-time, part-time, or occasional—the law applies to everyone.
San Diego v. California
Even though the state of California will also increase its minimum wage by 2026, this will be $16.90 per hour, less than the local minimum wage of San Diego. Basically, this means that:
- If you work inside San Diego, your employer must pay you $17.75 per hour, even if the state rate is lower.
- The rule applies to all industries and businesses.
- Tips are separate from your hourly pay. Your regular wage must be at least $17.75 per hour, and any tips you receive are on top of that.
Annual increments based on cost of living
There has been some other changes in minimum wages. Since 2019 the minimum wage in San Diego has increased every year having in mind the cost of living, which is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The goal of this system is to protect the purchasing power of workers against inflation. Thanks to this policy, San Diego has become one of the cities with the highest minimum wage in the country. This especially benefits workers from sectors such as: services, retail, hospitality, and jobs with a high number of Latino workers.
Additional rights workers must know
Apart from the salary increment, the city law also guarantees the right to paid sick leave. Employees can accumulate sick hours or receive them in advance, depending on how the employer handles it. These hours can be used to care for your own health or that of a family member. You should know that employers can limit usage to 40 hours per year.
In addition, businesses must post official notices about minimum wage and worker rights in a visible place at work.
Importance of this change
The higher minimum wage in San Diego helps workers cover their expenses in a city where life is very expensive. Also, it protects workers’ rights to make sure they receive a fair salary and important benefits like paid sick leave.
By setting a minimum wage that is higher than the state’s and adjusting it each year as living costs rise, the city hopes to make life a little easier for workers and help reduce money-related stress for those who rely on minimum wage jobs.
So…
We all appreciate any increment on our salaries, right? I mean, no matter how much it is, every amount is welcomed because it can offer us a little extra help with rent, groceries, transportation, and other daily expenses. We should all be informed about any change in our salaries, and this change is great news, isn’t it?