Wage guide
Glendale Minimum Wage (2026)
Current minimum wage
California state rate ($16.90/hr)
Effective July 1, 2026. Rates current as of .
Reviewed by Justin Silverman, California employment attorney (State Bar #292036). Current for 2026.
Glendale does not set a general citywide minimum wage above the state rate, but hotel workers are covered by a dedicated ordinance that also limits workload and overtime.
California’s statewide minimum wage of $16.90 per hour applies to most workers here, and your employer must pay at least that amount.
Glendale sets an industry-specific hotel floor rather than a general citywide minimum, under Municipal Code chapter 5.120. General workers receive the California state minimum. Unlike Los Angeles, Glendale mandates no health benefit, and the ordinance also caps room-cleaning workload and bars a workday over 10 hours without written consent.
Higher rates for specific jobs in Glendale
These floors sit above the general rate. If your job is on this list, the rate here is the one your employer owes you for hours worked in Glendale.
| Job type | Hourly rate | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel workersThe city states this reaches hotels with 60 or more rooms. Rises to $25.50 on July 1, 2027 and $28.50 on July 1, 2028. | $25.00 | July 1, 2026 |
Rates as this site verified them on July 19, 2026. Each row shows the date that figure took effect, which is not always the same across job types, so confirm yours against the city before relying on it.
Local minimum wages in California change frequently, usually on January 1 or July 1. You can confirm the current Glendale figure on the city’s official wage page (opens in a new tab).
Your wage rights beyond the minimum wage
The minimum wage is only the floor. No matter where you work in California, you are also entitled to overtime, duty-free meal and rest breaks, accurate pay stubs, and reimbursement of work expenses. Being paid below the applicable rate, or being denied these protections, can mean you are owed the difference plus penalties and attorney’s fees.
Estimate your overtime with our California overtime calculator, or read our full guide to unpaid wages and overtime in California. You can also compare rates on our California minimum wage by city page.
One more thing worth knowing: California allows no tip credit. If you earn tips, your employer still must pay you the full minimum wage, and your tips are yours on top of it.
If the problem is bigger than the rate
Underpayment often arrives alongside something else — hours that went unrecorded, a final paycheck that came late, or a firing that followed a complaint about pay. Our Glendale employment lawyer page covers what California protects beyond the wage floor, and what the public record shows about layoffs filed in Glendale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Glendale in 2026?
Glendale does not set a general local minimum wage above California's statewide rate of $16.90 per hour, though higher industry-specific rates may apply.
Does the minimum wage depend on where I work or where I live?
Where you work. Local minimum wage ordinances apply based on where you actually perform the work, not where you or your employer are based. If you work in this jurisdiction, its rate applies to those hours.
Can my employer count my tips toward the minimum wage?
No. California allows no tip credit. You must be paid the full minimum wage regardless of tips, and your tips are yours on top of that. Counting tips toward the minimum is wage theft.
What can I do if I am paid below the Glendale minimum wage?
You may be owed the unpaid difference, plus interest, penalties, and attorney's fees. A free consultation can tell you what you may be owed.
Paid less than the Glendale minimum wage?
You may be owed the unpaid difference plus penalties. A consultation with our office is free.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The rate shown is current as of July 19, 2026 and may have changed; confirm with the city.