What Is The Minimum Wage In Los Angeles County?

Numerous Californian cities will be raising their minimum wages starting July 1, 2022, due to the recent rates of inflation. Importantly, employers must also adhere to the municipal laws that mandate paying employees the municipal’s minimum wage amount if they’re greater than the statewide minimum wage amount.

All municipals without their own local minimum wage regulation must comply with the State of California’s minimum wage, where employers with 25 or fewer employees pay $14.00 per hour; and those with 26 or more pay $15.00 per hour.

For LA County specifically, the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) has announced that starting July 1, 2022, regardless of whether a company has 26+ or fewer workers, the new and increased Los Angeles minimum wage for employees in unincorporated regions is now $15.96 per hour.

If you’re an employee working in LA County, it’s important to know your minimum wage rights and ensure that you’re being paid correctly. Read on to learn all about the latest Los Angeles minimum wage laws.

What Period is the New LA County Minimum Wage Valid for?

Employers in LA County are now required to pay their workers at least $15.96 per hour. These rates are valid from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

Who is Eligible to Receive the New LA County Minimum Wage?

You’re eligible for the new LA County minimum wage if you spend two hours or more in an unincorporated region of LA County in a single week. If your job is not within an unincorporated region of LA County, you will be compensated based on the state’s or the city’s minimum wage. The relevant minimum wage is irrespective of your employment type, your residence, or the location of your employer’s corporate headquarters.

How Do I Ensure That I’m Getting Compensated Correctly?

It’s important to understand the minimum wage that pertains to you. Look for recent notifications specifying the applicable minimum wage at your job site. To notify workers of the latest minimum wage and their constitutional protections, all employers must either display a notice and the supplementary poster in a visible location or give a printout of the notice to every employee who works in the unincorporated regions. Also, to make sure you were paid at the correct wage, always review your payslips.

Where Can I Get Some Extra Help?

If your employer fails to compensate you the mandated minimum wage, a legal advisor or the DCBA can assist you in understanding your entitlements under LA County’s latest minimum wage legislations, looking into possible legal violations by your company, and recovering any unpaid wages.

What are the Repercussions at Work if I Complain about My Unpaid Wages?

Rest assured that it’s illegal for any company to take punitive action against an employee who:

• Reports a possible wage infraction
• Discloses to other employees their entitlements and possible wage violations (together you can file a class action lawsuit)
• Seeks payment of their required minimum wages

Retaliation may take the form of any such actions and more:

• Terminating you for initiating a wage lawsuit (you can file a wrongful termination lawsuit)
• Reducing the duration of your shifts so you earn less money
• Attempting to intimidate you by calling the immigration authorities