Tipped Minimum Wage in California
California (CA) · Tipped minimum wage · Last reviewed June 2026
Federal tipped wage
$2.13/hr cash
Tip credit
Not allowed
Must reach
Full min with tips
How the tip credit works
Under federal law, employers can pay tipped employees a cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour and claim a 'tip credit' for the difference — but only if tips bring the worker up to at least the full minimum wage. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the gap.
Tipped wages in California
California does not allow a tip credit. Tipped employees must be paid the full state minimum wage in cash, with tips on top.
Staying compliant
Track tipped hours and tips so you can show that cash wages plus tips met the full minimum for every shift — the most common tipped-wage claim is exactly that they didn't.
Official sources
More California guides
Tipped minimum wage in other states
California tipped minimum wage: frequently asked questions
What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
California doesn't allow a tip credit, so tipped workers must receive the full state minimum wage in cash, with tips on top.
Can my employer pay me $2.13 an hour in California?
No — California requires the full minimum cash wage for tipped employees.
Track California hours the easy way
Kloqk is a free time clock that handles overtime, breaks, and payroll-ready reports.
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