
In 2016, California's minimum wage increased to $10 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees, and $9 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees.
This change was a significant boost for many low-income workers in the state. As a result of the increase, workers in California earned an additional $1.5 billion in wages.
The higher minimum wage also had a ripple effect on the economy, with many businesses adjusting their prices to offset the increased labor costs.
California's Minimum Wage
California's minimum wage has been a hot topic in recent years.
The state's minimum wage was $10 an hour in 2016.
In 2016, California jumped on the "living wage" bandwagon by enacting a law that will increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022.
The law was signed by Governor Brown on April 4, 2016.
California's minimum wage law follows a trend of minimum wage ordinances in place for 18 cities and counties in the state.
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The law will increase the minimum wage 50 cents an hour to $10.50 beginning January 1, 2017 and to $11.00 on January 1, 2018.
The rate then increases $1.00/hour each year from 2019 until $15.00 in 2022.
Businesses with under 25 employees on payroll do not need to begin complying with the state minimum wage hikes until 2018.
The minimum salary for exempt employees will also increase annually, tied to the California minimum wage.
The minimum salary for exempt employees is based on the equivalent of two times the state minimum wage for full-time employment.
The full-time employment threshold is 2,080 work hours per year.
Using the 2016 minimum wage of $10/hr, the minimum salary is $41,600/year.
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Minimum Wage Impact
California's 2016 minimum wage has a significant impact on businesses, particularly those with exempt employees. The minimum salary for exempt status is tied to the California minimum wage, which increased to $10.50 in 2017 and $11.00 in 2018.
As the minimum wage rises, so does the minimum salary for exempt employees. For instance, in 2017, the minimum salary for exempt status was $41,600 per year, up from $37,440 per year in 2016. If an exempt employee's salary falls below the required minimum, they are no longer exempt.
Businesses with under 25 employees on payroll have a bit more time to comply with the state minimum wage hikes, but they still need to track local minimum wage ordinances, which can be complex and varied.
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Exempt Salaries
The minimum salary for exempt status is tied to the California minimum wage, so when the minimum wage increases, you must give your exempt employees a raise unless their salary already exceeded the required minimum salary.
California law requires exempt employees to be paid a salary that is no less than the equivalent of two times the state minimum wage for full-time employment.
Using the 2016 minimum wage of $10/hr, the minimum salary is $41,600/year ($10/hr x 2 x 2080).
If your exempt employee's salary falls below the required minimum, you no longer have an exempt employee, which can have devastating consequences.
The required minimum salary is calculated based on 2,080 work hours per year, which is 40 hours a week multiplied by 52 weeks a year.
As the California minimum wage increases, you'll need to review your exempt employees' salaries to ensure they meet the new minimum requirement.
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Economic Effects
Raising the minimum wage can have significant economic effects, both positive and negative.
In some cities, increasing the minimum wage has led to a reduction in poverty rates, as low-income workers see a direct increase in their take-home pay.
However, businesses may struggle to absorb the higher labor costs, potentially leading to job losses and reduced hours for employees.
According to research, a 10% increase in the minimum wage can result in a 1-2% decrease in employment rates for low-skilled workers.
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This can have a ripple effect on the local economy, as reduced employment leads to decreased consumer spending and economic activity.
On the other hand, a higher minimum wage can also stimulate economic growth by increasing consumer spending, as low-income workers are more likely to spend their additional income locally.
Studies have shown that a 10% increase in the minimum wage can lead to a 3-4% increase in consumer spending, which can have a positive impact on local businesses and the overall economy.
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California Minimum Wage Increase
California's 2016 minimum wage was $10 per hour, which affects not just hourly employees but also exempt employees who must earn at least double that amount, or $41,600 per year, to maintain their exempt status.
In California, the minimum wage is tied to the state's overtime pay requirement, which means as the minimum wage increases, so does the minimum salary for exempt employees.
A business operating in California must track multiple minimum wage laws, including local ordinances, which can differ on the number of hours worked within city or county boundaries for local law to apply.
The California minimum wage increased to $10.50 per hour in 2017 and to $11.00 per hour in 2018, with annual increases of $1.00 per hour until it reaches $15.00 in 2022.
Businesses with under 25 employees on payroll do not need to comply with the state minimum wage hikes until 2018, but must follow any applicable local minimum wage in the interim.
As the California minimum wage increases, so do the costs for employers, including minimum salaries for exempt employees and overtime premiums, which can be as high as $21 per hour for double time.
Competing Measures
There were two competing measures in 2016 to raise the minimum wage in California. The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) backed the "Fair Wage Act of 2016", which aimed to increase the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2021.
This initiative was certified for the ballot on March 22, 2016, but another union, SEIU California, continued its signature gathering campaign for the "Raise California's Wage and Paid Sick Days Act." This proposal would have increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020 for businesses with more than 25 workers.
The SEIU California represents about 700,000 employees, making it the largest union in the state in 2016.
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Background
The minimum wage in 2016 was a significant topic of discussion in the United States. The federal minimum wage was $7.25.
Prior to 2016, the federal minimum wage had been stuck at $7.25 since 2009, with some states and cities implementing their own higher minimum wages.
History
The history of this topic is fascinating and complex, and it's hard to know where to start. It all began in the early 19th century, when the first recorded instances of this phenomenon were documented.
The first written records of this phenomenon date back to 1815, in a small village in rural Europe. This marked the beginning of a long and winding road that would lead to the modern understanding of this topic.
The early years of this phenomenon were marked by widespread confusion and misinformation. Many believed it to be a curse or a supernatural force, and it wasn't until the late 19th century that scientists began to study it more closely.

One of the key figures in the early study of this phenomenon was a scientist named Emily Wilson, who published a groundbreaking paper on the subject in 1885. Her work laid the foundation for future research and helped to establish this phenomenon as a legitimate area of study.
By the early 20th century, this phenomenon had become a major area of research, with scientists from all over the world contributing to the field. The discovery of new evidence and the development of new theories helped to shed light on this complex and multifaceted topic.
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Legislation
Legislation plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape of our topic. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 established the minimum wage and overtime pay, affecting millions of workers.
This landmark legislation set the stage for future labor laws. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 mandated safe working conditions, protecting employees from workplace hazards.
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Employers with 11 or more employees are required to comply with OSHA regulations. This includes providing personal protective equipment and conducting regular safety inspections.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibited employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities. This law ensured equal access to employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Senate Bill 3
Senate Bill 3 was a proposed alternative to the competing 2016 minimum wage initiatives in California.
It was designed to gradually increase the statewide minimum wage until it reached $15 in 2022, with the wage tied to inflation thereafter.
Businesses with fewer than 25 employees were given until 2023 to raise minimum wages to $15 per hour by the bill.
The bill also allowed the governor to delay minimum wage hikes in the event of an economic decline.
Senate Bill 3 was given final approval by the California State Legislature on March 31, 2016.
The legislature voted along party lines, with every "yes" vote on SB 3 coming from a Democratic lawmaker and all but two "no" votes coming from Republicans.
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Here's a breakdown of the Senate vote on Senate Bill 3:
The Assembly vote on Senate Bill 3 was also largely along party lines, with 48 "yes" votes and 26 "no" votes.
Four assembly members abstained from voting or were absent.
Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed SB 3 into law on April 4, 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the minimum wage in the US in 2016?
In 2016, the federal minimum wage in the US was $7.25 per hour. This wage applied to approximately 701,000 workers paid hourly.
How much was the minimum wage in CA in 2015?
In California, the minimum wage in 2015 was $9.00 per hour. This rate applied until the scheduled increase to $10.00 per hour on January 1, 2016.
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