Verified against official state labor departments Updated for 2026
Minimum Wage Lookup
Look up a state →

Santa Clara Minimum Wage (2026)

What Santa Clara pays for 2026, how it compares to the California and federal minimum, who it covers, and the local rules that go with it.

Updated for 2026 Last verified: Jul 6, 2026 Local ordinance
Santa Clara minimum wage
$18.70 /hr
January 1, 2027
California state minimum
$16.90 /hr
Santa Clara is $1.80 higher
Federal minimum
$7.25 /hr
The city rate applies, not the federal floor
Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

The Santa Clara minimum wage for 2026 is $18.70 per hour, $1.80 more than the California state minimum of $16.90 and well above the $7.25 federal floor.

All employers for work performed in Santa Clara. No tip credit; tipped workers get the full local minimum wage, plus tips.

Santa Clara wage details

City minimum wage
$18.70 per hour
Next scheduled change
January 1, 2027
Set by
Local ordinance
Tipped employees
No tip credit; tipped workers get the full local minimum wage, plus tips.
Who it applies to
All employers for work performed in Santa Clara.

Santa Clara vs. state vs. federal

Level2026 minimum wage
Santa Clara$18.70 per hour
California$16.90 per hour
Federal$7.25 per hour

Employers must pay the highest rate that applies, so in Santa Clara that is the $18.70 city rate.

Pay calculator

Santa Clara minimum wage calculator

Estimate weekly, monthly, and yearly pay at the Santa Clara rate.

2026 pay estimate

Santa Clara Minimum Wage Calculator

Prefilled with the Santa Clara rate. Change the wage or hours to see how pay changes.

Anything over 40 is figured at 1.5× (time and a half).
Estimated weekly pay
$0/wk
Regular pay$0
Overtime pay$0
Monthly (est.)$0
Yearly (est.)$0

Estimates for general information only, before taxes and deductions. Some states also require daily overtime, which can raise the total depending on your daily schedule. Always confirm with your state labor department.

Common questions

Santa Clara minimum wage FAQ

What is the minimum wage in Santa Clara for 2026?
The Santa Clara minimum wage for 2026 is $18.70 per hour, which is $1.80 more than the California state minimum of $16.90.
How much is Santa Clara minimum wage per year?
At $18.70 an hour, full-time work (40 hours a week) comes to about $38,896 a year before taxes. Use the calculator on this page for your own hours.
Is Santa Clara's minimum wage higher than California's?
Yes. Santa Clara is $1.80 per hour above the California state minimum of $16.90. Employers must pay the higher local rate.
Who sets the Santa Clara minimum wage?
Santa Clara sets its own minimum wage by local ordinance, which is why it differs from the state rate. You can confirm it with the City of Santa Clara, linked on this page.
When does the Santa Clara minimum wage change?
The next scheduled change is January 1, 2027.
Where can I find official Santa Clara minimum wage information?
The City of Santa Clara publishes the official rate and rules, linked on this page.
David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.