California Paid Sick Leave Laws (2026)

Whether paid sick leave is required in California, who is covered, how it accrues, and where the law comes from.

Required by law Verified Jul 6, 2026

Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

California requires paid sick leave. Required. At least 40 hours (5 days) of paid sick leave per year, accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked.

Paid sick leave in California

Required by state law

Yes

Typical accrual

~1 hour per 30 hours worked

The rule

Required. At least 40 hours (5 days) of paid sick leave per year, accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked.

Good to know

Paid sick leave and paid vacation are different things. This page covers sick leave. For whether unused vacation must be paid when you leave a job, see California PTO payout rules. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

California paid sick leave FAQ

Does California require paid sick leave?

Required. At least 40 hours (5 days) of paid sick leave per year, accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked.

Is there a federal paid sick leave law?

No. There is no general federal law requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave. Federal contractors are an exception, and the FMLA provides unpaid, job-protected leave for eligible employees.

How does paid sick leave usually accrue?

In states that require it, sick leave typically accrues at about 1 hour for every 30 to 40 hours worked, with an annual cap set by the law. The exact rate and cap vary by state.

Where can I find the official California rules?

The California Department of Industrial Relations publishes the official requirements, 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.