Holiday Pay Laws in California
California (CA) · Holiday pay · Last reviewed June 2026
Paid holidays
Not required
Premium pay
Not required
Set by
Employer policy
Are employers required to pay for holidays?
Neither federal law nor California requires private employers to offer paid holidays or to pay extra for working on a holiday. Holiday pay is a benefit you choose to offer, not a legal mandate.
The exception is when a contract, collective bargaining agreement, or your own written policy promises it — at that point it becomes enforceable.
How most employers handle it
Common practice is a set list of paid holidays (often 6–11 days a year), and in some industries, premium pay for employees who work them. Whatever you decide, put it in writing so expectations are clear and consistent.
Tracking holidays
A time clock with a holiday calendar lets you mark paid holidays and keep them cleanly separated from worked hours when you run payroll.
Official sources
More California guides
Holiday pay in other states
California holiday pay: frequently asked questions
Does California require holiday pay?
No — California does not require private employers to provide paid holidays or premium pay for working a holiday. It's set by your policy unless a contract says otherwise.
Do you get time and a half on holidays in California?
Not by law. Holiday premium pay is a voluntary benefit in California unless an employer policy or contract promises it.
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