Who gets $20 an hour in California?

Asked by: Kailee Hill  |  Last update: April 29, 2026
Score: 5/5 (41 votes)

In California, fast-food workers at large chains (over 60 locations nationally) are guaranteed at least $20 an hour as of April 1, 2024, under a new state law covering limited-service restaurants where customers order at a counter. This new minimum wage primarily benefits fast-food employees, though other businesses might raise wages to compete, and exceptions exist for certain locations like those inside airports or grocery stores.

What jobs in California pay $20 an hour?

Jobs paying around $20/hour in California are common and include roles in customer service, retail, warehouse/delivery (like Package Handler), administrative support (Office Assistant, Clerk), and specific roles like Security Guard, Sign Language Interpreter, and even some Fast Food Crew Members (due to new state laws). Many entry-level positions in various industries offer this rate, with some potentially paying more depending on location, shifts (overnight/evening), and employer. 

Who qualifies for $20 minimum wage in California?

In California, fast-food workers at chains with 60+ locations nationwide are guaranteed at least $20 an hour as of April 1, 2024, due to AB 1228, covering major brands like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut, though exemptions exist for places like those inside grocery stores or airports. Other workers, like healthcare aides, also have higher minimums, but the $20 rate is specific to this fast-food sector, with a council set to adjust it annually. 

What restaurants have to pay $20 an hour in California?

As of April 1st, California fast food workers must earn at least $20/hour. This is why $20 an hour is good for California's fast food workers and employers. Work in the California fast food industry and not making $20/hour? Send us a report!

Does Chick-fil-A pay $20 an hour in California?

Yes, Chick-fil-A often pays around or above $20 an hour in California due to state law for fast-food workers and location-specific wages, with averages often exceeding $20/hour for team members, and some locations, like Chick-fil-A in Temecula, setting their minimum at $20/hour, with higher rates for leadership. 

Fast food workers in California set to make $20 an hour

45 related questions found

Does McDonald's pay $20 an hour in California?

Yes, most McDonald's workers in California earn at least $20 an hour due to a state law that went into effect in April 2024, mandating a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers at chains with over 60 locations nationwide, including McDonald's. This applies to both corporate and franchised locations, though some specific exemptions exist for places like those inside grocery stores or producing bread on-site. 

Does Pizza Hut pay $20 an hour in California?

Average Pizza Hut Cook hourly pay in California is approximately $20.00, which is 28% above the national average. Salary estimated from 40 past and present job postings on Indeed.

How much does McDonald's pay an hour in California?

Average McDonald's Crew Member hourly pay in California is approximately $19.42, which is 35% above the national average. Salary estimated from 110 past and present job postings on Indeed.

Does Del Taco pay $20 an hour in California?

Average Del Taco Team Member hourly pay in California is approximately $20.48, which is 51% above the national average.

What is the 7 minute rule in California?

The "California 7-Minute Rule" refers to a federal payroll rounding practice where employee work hours are rounded to the nearest quarter-hour (15 mins) for pay, legal under federal law if neutral, but increasingly scrutinized in California due to court rulings requiring payment for all time worked, like the Troester case, making strict application challenging and requiring employers to avoid systematic underpayment, even for short daily work periods. Essentially, punches within 7 minutes of a quarter-hour (e.g., 8:00-8:07) round down, while 8 minutes or more (e.g., 8:08) rounds up, but California courts demand this neutrality and compensation for all work, making employers wary. 

Is $25 an hour good in California?

$25 an hour ($52,000/year) in California is a decent, middle-class wage in many areas, above minimum wage but potentially tight in expensive cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles, where housing costs are high; it's generally sufficient for a single person to live, but affordability depends heavily on location, lifestyle, and whether benefits like health insurance are included. 

Who is exempt from minimum wage in CA?

The most common exemptions are for executive, administrative, and professional roles. Employees in these capacities generally qualify if their work meets detailed requirements and they earn at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time employment.

Can you make $20 an hour at Walmart?

Yes, Walmart pays $20 an hour for some positions, especially Team Leads, overnight stockers, and specific roles in Distribution Centers or Pharmacy, but the general starting pay for many roles (like cashiers/sales) is often lower, with ranges varying significantly by location and job type, though associates can reach $20+ as they gain experience or move into specialized areas like Pharmacy Tech or Cake Decorator. 

Does Taco Bell pay $20 an hour in California?

Yes, Taco Bell generally pays around or above $20 an hour in California for many roles, largely due to California's new $20/hour minimum wage for large fast-food chains (effective April 2024), with specific rates varying by location and position, but averaging around $20-$21 for Team Members. While some specific restaurants or roles might have slight variations or exemptions, $20 an hour has become a common floor, with experienced employees potentially earning more, notes Indeed. 

Can you live off $20 an hour?

You can potentially live on $20 an hour, but it's extremely tight and depends heavily on your location (cost of living), lifestyle, and household size; in expensive cities or with dependents, it's often not enough, while in low-cost areas with careful budgeting, some individuals manage, but savings and emergencies are difficult. A 40-hour week at $20/hour is roughly $3,200/month before taxes, which quickly disappears with rent, food, and other essentials, especially in high-cost areas where closer to $25-$30/hour might be needed for a single person. 

Does Chick-fil-A pay $20 an hour?

Yes, many Chick-fil-A locations, especially in higher-cost areas like California, pay $20 an hour or even more for starting team members, though wages vary significantly by location and role, with some starting lower and leadership positions earning more. For instance, California fast-food law made $20/hour a minimum for some, leading to higher local pay, while some restaurants advertise starting wages at or above this, notes ZipRecruiter. 

What does Costco pay per hour in California?

Costco's hourly pay in California varies by role, but recent raises in early 2025 pushed top-scale non-union employees past $30/hour, with starting wages also increasing; you'll find specific roles like Stockers averaging around $23.32/hour and Front End Associates near $19.68/hour, though these figures are estimates from late 2025/early 2026, with actual pay depending on tenure and location.
 

Is McDonald's paying $20 an hour in California?

Yes, most McDonald's workers in California earn at least $20 an hour due to a state law that went into effect in April 2024, mandating a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers at chains with over 60 locations nationwide, including McDonald's. This applies to both corporate and franchised locations, though some specific exemptions exist for places like those inside grocery stores or producing bread on-site. 

What does Chick-fil-A pay in California?

Chick-fil-A pay in California varies by location and role, but typically starts around the state's fast-food minimum wage of $20/hour, with many locations offering $20-$23+/hour for team members, and higher for management, though corporate roles can differ significantly. Cities like West Sacramento and Ontario show average team member wages around $20/hour, while leadership or specialized roles can reach over $28/hour or even higher in certain areas, with potential for growth. 

Does Jack in the Box pay $20 an hour in California?

Yes, Jack in the Box in California often pays around or above $20 an hour for team members, largely due to the state's $20 minimum wage for large fast-food chains implemented in 2024, with actual rates varying slightly by location and experience but generally falling in the low $20s. 

Who has to pay $20 an hour in California?

In California, fast-food workers at chains with 60+ locations nationwide are guaranteed at least $20 an hour as of April 1, 2024, due to AB 1228, covering major brands like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut, though exemptions exist for places like those inside grocery stores or airports. Other workers, like healthcare aides, also have higher minimums, but the $20 rate is specific to this fast-food sector, with a council set to adjust it annually. 

What places pay $20 an hour in California?

Jobs paying around $20/hour in California are common and include roles in customer service, retail, warehouse/delivery (like Package Handler), administrative support (Office Assistant, Clerk), and specific roles like Security Guard, Sign Language Interpreter, and even some Fast Food Crew Members (due to new state laws). Many entry-level positions in various industries offer this rate, with some potentially paying more depending on location, shifts (overnight/evening), and employer. 

How much does Arby's pay in California?

Average Arby's Team Member hourly pay in California is approximately $19.42, which is 43% above the national average.

What fast food pays the most in California?

Highest paying companies for Fast Food Attendant in California

  • AppleOne. $93,900per year.
  • Stinker Stores. $71,760per year.
  • U.S. Army. $52,500per year.
  • Panda Restaurant Group. $44,252per year.
  • THE COUNTER BURGER. $44,252per year.
  • Pret A Manger. $44,252per year.