City of San Mateo Minimum Wage Ordinance
As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for the City of San Mateo is $18.60 per hour for all employees.
The City of San Mateo is a different government entity than the County of San Mateo and therefore this minimum wage does not apply to other cities in the County.
Effective Date |
Citywide Minimum Wage |
CPI Percentage |
Percent increase in Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
January 1, 2026 |
$18.60 |
3.3% |
3.5% |
January 1, 2027 |
$19.25 |
3.4% |
3.5% |
2026 Minimum Wage Documents Available for Download
Official Notice in English, Chinese, Spanish
Employee/Employer Posters in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog
Minimum Wage Increase - January 1, 2027
As of January 1, 2027, employers in the City of San Mateo must pay each employee who work in the City of San Mateo, no less than $19.25 per hour. The minimum wage requirement set forth in the San Mateo Municipal Code (SMMC) Chapter 5.92 Minimum Wage applies to adult and minor employees who work two (2) or more hours per week (tips not included). Covered employees are entitled to these rights regardless of immigration status. The minimum wage will be adjusted annually beginning on January 1st of each year.
Read the 2027 Minimum Wage Employer Bulletin announcing the minimum wage rate and calculations in the City of San Mateo effective 1/1/2027.
Under SMMC Chapter 5.92 Minimum Wage, employees who assert their rights to receive the City’s minimum wage are protected from retaliation. Employees may file a civil lawsuit against their employers for any violation of SMMC Chapter 5.92 or may file a complaint with the City of San Mateo. The City will investigate possible violations and will require access to payroll records. The City will enforce violations by ordering reinstatement of employees, payment of back wages unlawfully withheld, and penalties.
Minimum Wage Ordinance Updates:
On August 15, 2022, the City Council adopted the following policy amendments:
- Set a CPI cap of 3.5% on the annual increase in minimum wage
- Include a CPI catch-up provision to allow wages to realign with inflation for future years
- Round the wage to the nearest nickel
Report Wage Violations
Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement San Mateo County
500 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94064
To ask questions or file a complaint call a free confidential Labor Advice Hotline - 1-886-870-7725 or email olse@smcgov.org or submit an online inquiry.
Questions for City of San Mateo
City Manager’s Office
330 West 20th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403
Phone: (650) 522-7000
Email: economicdevelopment@cityofsanmateo.org
- As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in the City of San Mateo will be $18.60 per hour for all employers.
- Covered employees include anyone who performs 2 hours or more of work per week within the geographic boundaries of the City of San Mateo, including employees who are under 18.
- Covered employees are entitled to these rights regardless of immigration status.
- The minimum wage is adjusted annually based on the CPI on January 1st of each year. There is a CPI cap of 3.5% each year with a catch-up provision for future years.
- As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in the City of San Mateo will be $18.60 per hour for all employers.
- Each employer must give written notification to each current employee and to new employees (at the time of hire) of the employee’s rights under the Minimum Wage Ordinance.
- The employer must post the Official Notice prominently in the areas at the worksite where it will be seen by all employees.
- Every employer must provide each employee, at the time of hire, with the employer’s name, address and telephone number in writing. Failure to post such notice will be a violation of the Municipal Code.
- Under the Ordinance, an employer may not retaliate against an employee for making a complaint to the City regarding his/her right to receive the minimum wage specified.
- Tips and other benefits may not be considered an offset to the Minimum Wage.
- The City of San Mateo will investigate possible violations and may take enforcement action including reinstatement of the employee, payment of back wages and civil penalties.