Minimum Wage*

MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE

On October 16, 2018, the Alameda City Council adopted a Minimum Wage Ordinance. Please click here(PDF, 77KB) to view the ordinance.

The Minimum Wage Ordinance increases the minimum wage as follows:

•  On July 1, 2019, the minimum wage increased to $13.50 per hour for all employees and employers, regardless of size. 

• On July 1, 2020, the minimum wage increased to $15.00 per hour for all employees and employers.

• On July 1, 2022, the minimum wage increased to $15.75 per hour for all employees and employers.

• On July 1, 2023, the minimum wage increased to $16.52 per hour for all employees and employers. 

• Every July 1st thereafter, the minimum wage rate will be adjusted based on the increase in cost of living, however the adjusted increase shall not be greater than five percent (5%) per year. 

Complaints:

The Community Development Department encourages residents or employees to submit a complaint if they believe an employer has violated the Minimum Wage Ordinance. The City of Alameda will keep confidential the names or any other identifiable information provided, to the maximum extent permitted by law.  Employees who file a complaint are protected from retaliation or discrimination by their employer. Please fill out the attached form and the Community Development Department will reach out to discuss next steps. If you need additional assistance please contact 510-747-6890 or minimumwage@alamedaca.gov.  

Minimum Wage: Employee Complaint & Questionnaire(PDF, 309KB)

As an employer in the City of Alameda, you need to know the following requirements:

• Effective July 1, 2023, the City Minimum Wage was increased to $16.52 per hour. The minimum is subject to increase on July 1 of every year up to 5%, based on the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (BACPI) regardless of the number of employees.

• The City of Alameda Minimum Wage Ordinance applies to all employees working two (2) hours or more per week within the geographic boundaries of the City of Alameda.

• Employers are required to post the Official Minimum Wage Notice in English and should also post the notice in the second most spoken language by employees, if applicable. The notice must be posted at every job site or work place in a conspicuous place. The Official Minimum Wage Notice can be downloaded above. Printed copies are also available at the Community Development Department located in City Hall West 950 West Mall Square, Second Floor Room 205, Alameda CA, 94501.

• Tips or gratuities, may not be used as a credit towards the employer’s obligation to pay employees the minimum wage.

• Employers may not eliminate, decrease or increase the cost of current employee benefits (such as meals, parking, health insurance, vacation, uniforms etc.) due to the increase in minimum wage.

• Employers must maintain payroll records for a minimum period of four (4) years and allow authorized City representatives to review payroll records as part of any investigation.

• Should an employer be found out of compliance with the Ordinance, the employer is subject to an administrative and/or criminal citation under the Ordinance. In addition, an employer found out of compliance may be required to pay back wages for pay that was unlawfully withheld or underpaid. Employers may also be subject to a civil penalty of $50 per day payable to the City and to each affected employee.

• Under the Ordinance, it is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against any employee(s) who asserts their rights under this Ordinance.

• Employers who retaliate against employees will be subject to administrative and criminal enforcement.  

For additional information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Community Development Department

Phone: 510-747-6890

Email: minimumwage@alamedaca.gov.

As an employee working in the City of Alameda, here are the rights and protections you should know regarding minimum wage:

•  Effective July 1, 2019, the minimum wage in City of Alameda is $13.50 per hour and increased to $15.00 per hour on July 1, 2020, regardless of the number of employees. The minimum is subject to increase on July 1 of every year up to 5%, based on the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (BACPI) regardless of the number of employees. Effective July 1, 2022, the City Minimum Wage increased to $15.75. On July 1, 2023, the minimum wage increased to $16.52 per hour.   

• Alameda’s Minimum Wage must be paid to any employee who performs two (2) or more hours of work per week in the City of Alameda.

• Tips or gratuities, may not be used as a credit towards the employer’s obligation to pay the employee the minimum wage.

• Employers may not eliminate, decrease or increase the cost of current employee benefits (such as meals, parking, health insurance, vacation, uniforms etc.) due to the increase in minimum wage.

• An employee is protected from retaliation for exercising their rights under this ordinance, this includes but is not limited to: the right to file a complaint, the right to inform any person of their potential rights under this article or education any person about this ordinance or assist anyone in asserting their rights under this ordinance. This includes anyone who mistakenly but in good faith alleges noncompliance with this ordinance. 

• Adverse action taken against an employee within 90 days of exercising their rights shall raise a rebuttable presumption of having done so in retaliation

• Information submitted to the Community Development Department will remain confidential to the maximum extent possible. This includes names or any other identifiable information.

• Any person may report any suspected violation of the Minimum Wage Ordinance, including retaliation, to the Community Development Department.

For additional information, to file a complaint or to request more information contact the Community Development Department.

Phone: 510-747-6890

Email: minimumwage@alamedaca.gov

CITY STAFF REPORTS

City Council Meeting, October 2, 2018 Staff Presentation(PDF, 258KB)

City Council Meeting, September 18, 2018, Staff Report(PDF, 411KB) , Presentation(PDF, 282KB) , and Exhibits(PDF, 2MB)  

City Council Meeting, April 18, 2018 Staff Report(PDF, 288KB) and Presentation(PDF, 196KB)

Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel, June 18, 2018 Staff Report , Presentation and Exhibits

City of Alameda Minimum Wage Ordinance FAQ's - Please click here(PDF, 155KB) to view