After multiple delays, the increased healthcare worker minimum wage in California took effect on October 16, 2024. Applicable workers include those who:
- Work for certain “healthcare facilities” outlined in the law, and
- Support the provision of healthcare or provide healthcare services.
The CA Department of Public Health has a Cal Health Find Database, which can help employers determine whether their facility type is covered under the new requirement.
Covered healthcare employees include:
- Nurses
- Guards
- Physicians
- Clerical workers
- Caregivers
- Non-managerial admin workers
- Medical residents
- Food service workers
- Gift shop workers
- Interns/fellows
- Patient care technicians
- Laundry workers
- Technical and aniillary services workers
- Groundskeepers
- Medical coding/billing workers
- Call center/warehouse workers
- Schedulers
- Janitors
The hourly minimum wage is $23 for integrated health and hospital systems with 10,000+ FT employees (includes skilled nursing facilities), and dialysis clinics. Intermittent, community, rural, and urgent care health clinics have a new minimum wage of $21. Safety net hospitals must pay at least $18 per hour. Any covered facilities not covered above or run by counties must adhere to the $21/hour wage.
Some exemptions apply. Review the full law and FAQs.
This article is informational and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with an employment lawyer or accountant for additional clarification on how these changes impact your company.
