Minimum Wage Increases in Pasadena to $17.50 on July 1

Some local employees making minimum wage will soon receive a pay increase.

The City is scheduled to raise the minimum wage to $17.50 for all businesses, regardless of size, on July 1. 

The City’s increase will not impact the new minimum wage for fast food workers. 

On April 1, the minimum wage set by the State for all “national fast-food chain” establishments moved to $20.00 per hour.  

“California’s fast-food worker’s minimum wage applies to all national fast-food chain establishments within the geographical boundaries of Pasadena and supersedes the local minimum wage rate if the employer meets the definition of “national fast-food chain,” according to a statement released by the City earlier this year.

That includes McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Chipotle and other national chains.

The City’s minimum wage applies to local mom and pop fast food restaurants.  

The City adopted its own minimum wage ordinance in 2016 prior to the state action. 

The state’s minimum wage does not supersede the City’s ordinance.

Pasadena’s minimum wage is different from the state’s and provides for a steeper increase in the minimum wage. 

After a series of prescribed annual increases taking the wage to $15 an hour in 2020, Pasadena’s minimum wage is now adjusted by an amount equal to the change in the consumer price index.

The new wage rate will remain in effect until June 30, 2025, when it will again be adjusted.