California: rules and deadlines at a glance
Every 12 topic we track for California on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how California compares.
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Discrimination deadlines · Paid leave programs · Minimum wage · Final paycheck rules · Paid sick leave · State income tax · Right-to-work laws · Tipped minimum wage · Payday frequency · Rest break laws · State EITC · Noncompete laws
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.
Discrimination deadlines
| EEOC deadline | 300 days |
|---|---|
| State agency deadline | 3 years |
| State agency | Civil Rights Department (CRD) |
Paid leave programs
| State program | Paid Family Leave and State Disability Insurance (SDI) |
|---|---|
| Status | Paying benefits |
Minimum wage Checked on official source
| State minimum wage | $16.90 |
|---|---|
| Next change | $17.40 on Jan. 1, 2027 |
Final paycheck rules Single detailed source
| If you are fired | Same day |
|---|---|
| If you quit | Within 72 hours (immediately with 72 hours' notice) |
Paid sick leave Single detailed source
| State law? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Yearly cap | 40 hours or 5 days a year |
State income tax Single detailed source
| Structure | Graduated, 10 brackets |
|---|---|
| Rates | 1.00% to 13.30% |
Right-to-work laws
| Right-to-work? | No |
|---|
Tipped minimum wage Checked on official source
| Minimum cash wage | $16.90 |
|---|---|
| Most tips can count | None: full minimum before tips |
Payday frequency Checked on official source
| Required frequency | At least twice a month for most workers |
|---|
Rest break laws Checked on official source
| Paid rest break | Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours worked |
|---|
State EITC Single detailed source
| State EITC? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amount | Own formula (CalEITC) |
Noncompete laws
| Noncompetes | Banned |
|---|