What Is the Minimum Wage in Long Beach, California?

The minimum wage in Long Beach, California is $16.90 per hour for most jobs as of January 1, 2026, matching the statewide floor. If you work at a large hotel, you earn at least $25.00 per hour under Measure RW, rising to $26.50 on July 1, 2026. If you work at a food, beverage, or retail concession at the Long Beach Airport, Convention Center, or Temporary Amphitheater, you earn at least $26.50 per hour as of July 1, 2026.

The General Rate for Most Jobs

Long Beach does not set its own citywide minimum wage for general employment. Retail clerks, office workers, restaurant staff outside large hotels, and most other workers in the city are covered by California’s statewide rate of $16.90 per hour, effective January 1, 2026.1California Department of Industrial Relations. Minimum Wage The rate applies to every employer regardless of size.

California adjusts the statewide figure each January 1 based on inflation, so the number creeps up every year.

Hotel Workers: $25.00 and Climbing

Long Beach voters passed Measure RW in March 2024, creating a separate, much higher minimum wage for workers at large hotels. A covered hotel is a lodging building with 100 or more guest rooms, and the wage applies to anyone whose primary workplace is at such a hotel, including workers sent there by cleaning companies, staffing agencies, or other contractors.2City of Long Beach. Measure RW Ordinance

The phased schedule written into Long Beach Municipal Code Section 5.48.020:2City of Long Beach. Measure RW Ordinance

If your hotel employer or the contractor you work for is paying you less than the rate for the current period, that is a violation regardless of who signs your paycheck.

Airport and Convention Center Concession Workers

A separate ordinance, Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 16.60, sets wages for food, beverage, and retail concession workers at the Long Beach Airport, Convention Center, and Temporary Amphitheater. Effective July 1, 2026, the rate is $26.50 per hour.4City of Long Beach. Ordinance No. Ord-25-0008 – Payment of Living Wage to Workers at the Long Beach Airport, Convention Center, and Temporary Amphitheater

Coverage depends on whether your employer holds a concession agreement with the city. If you’re not sure, ask your employer or the city whether your worksite falls under the ordinance.

Tips Don’t Count Toward Your Wage

California prohibits employers from using tips as a credit against the minimum wage.5U.S. Department of Labor. Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees In Long Beach, a tipped worker must receive the full applicable minimum wage before tips, and tips belong to the worker on top of that.

If You’re Being Paid Less Than You Should Be

You can file a complaint with the City of Long Beach or file a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office. The state accepts claims online, by email, by mail, or in person.6California Department of Industrial Relations. How to File a Wage Claim

If investigators confirm you were underpaid, you’re entitled to the unpaid wages plus liquidated damages equal to that same amount, which effectively doubles the recovery.7California Legislative Information. California Labor Code 1194.2 A court or the Labor Commissioner can reduce the damages portion if the employer proves the underpayment was a good-faith mistake, but that is a hard standard to meet.

Your employer cannot legally fire you, cut your hours, or otherwise punish you for filing a claim or cooperating with an investigation.6California Department of Industrial Relations. How to File a Wage Claim

For general minimum wage questions, Long Beach can be reached at (562) 570-9243 or MinimumWage@longbeach.gov. For wage claims, the California Department of Industrial Relations office serving the area is at (562) 590-5048.8City of Long Beach. Minimum Wage – Long Beach