Los Angeles vs. California Minimum Wage in 2026: What Caregivers Need to Know
If you’re a caregiver working in Los Angeles, understanding minimum wage laws in 2026 is critical — because the wage you’re legally entitled to may be higher than the California statewide minimum.
Many caregivers assume the statewide minimum wage applies to everyone. But that’s not true. Los Angeles has its own minimum wage law, and employers must pay caregivers the highest applicable rate, not the lowest.
If you’re paid a flat daily rate or work long shifts, this difference can mean thousands of dollars in unpaid wages.
California Minimum Wage in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, California’s statewide minimum wage is:
➡️ $16.90 per hour
This rate applies to all employees unless a local city or county law requires a higher wage.
Caregivers are fully covered by California minimum wage laws — including:
In-home caregivers
Live-in caregivers
Facility caregivers
Domestic workers
You must be paid at least $16.90 for every hour worked, before overtime is even calculated.
Los Angeles Minimum Wage Is Higher
If you work within the City of Los Angeles, your employer must follow Los Angeles city wage laws, not just state law.
Los Angeles has consistently set a higher minimum wage than the state, and that higher rate applies to caregivers working inside city limits.
Important rule:
👉 Employers must always pay the highest applicable minimum wage — city, county, or state.
If you work in Los Angeles and are only being paid the state minimum wage, you may already be underpaid, even before overtime is considered.
Daily Rates Often Violate LA Wage Laws
Many caregivers in Los Angeles are paid flat daily rates like:
$180 per day
$200 per day
$220 per day
At first glance, that may sound reasonable. But when divided by the actual hours worked, daily rates often:
Fall below the Los Angeles minimum wage
Ignore legally required overtime
Result in wage theft
Example:
If you work a 24-hour shift and are paid $200:
$200 ÷ 24 hours = $8.33 per hour
That’s far below both LA minimum wage and state minimum wage
This creates claims for:
Unpaid minimum wages
Unpaid overtime
Penalties and interest
Overtime Rules Still Apply in Los Angeles
Minimum wage is only part of the equation.
Under California’s Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, caregivers must receive:
⏱ Overtime after 9 hours in a day
📆 Overtime after 45 hours in a week
This applies even if you’re paid a salary or daily rate.
In Los Angeles, overtime is calculated using the higher local minimum wage, not the lower statewide rate — which increases the amount you may be owed.
What If You Work in Multiple Locations?
Many caregivers work:
Part-time in Los Angeles
Part-time in another city
Or move between client homes
In these cases:
Hours worked in Los Angeles must be paid at LA’s minimum wage
Hours worked elsewhere must be paid at the highest applicable local or state rate
Employers often fail to track this correctly
Improper tracking can lead to significant underpayment.
Immigration Status Does NOT Change Your Rights
Caregivers often worry that speaking up about pay could put their job — or their immigration status — at risk.
California law is clear:
Undocumented caregivers have full wage rights
Employers cannot retaliate or threaten immigration consequences
Courts do not allow immigration status to be used as a defense
Your right to proper pay exists regardless of status.
How to Know If You’re Being Underpaid
You may be underpaid if:
You work in Los Angeles but are paid only the state minimum wage
You’re paid a flat daily rate
You work long or overnight shifts
You don’t receive overtime after 9 hours/day
Your pay stubs don’t reflect hourly wages or overtime
Even small underpayments add up quickly — especially over months or years.
What to Do Next
If you’re unsure whether your pay complies with Los Angeles or California law:
Write down your hours worked, including overnight time
Gather pay records (checks, Venmo/Zelle, texts)
Compare your hourly average to LA minimum wage
Speak with a caregiver wage attorney
At CaregiverOvertime.com, we’ve helped caregivers recover over $70 million in unpaid wages by enforcing minimum wage and overtime laws — especially in Los Angeles.
Final Takeaway
In 2026, Los Angeles caregivers are entitled to more than the California minimum wage. If your employer isn’t paying the correct local rate — or isn’t paying overtime — you may be owed significant back pay.
👉 Contact Us for a free, confidential consultation
👉 Learn your rights before unpaid wages continue to add up
You care for others. The law requires that you be paid fairly — especially in Los Angeles.