Starting this week, some of the lowest-paid health care workers in California will see a boost in their wages as part of a state law aimed at gradually raising their minimum pay to $25 an hour. Workers at rural, independent health care facilities will now earn a minimum of $18 an hour, while those at hospitals with at least 10,000 full-time employees will receive a minimum of $23 an hour.
The law, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom last year, will impact approximately 350,000 workers, according to the University of California, Berkeley Labor Center. The hourly rate will increase over the next decade, with some workers reaching the $25 mark sooner than others.
The legislation applies to a wide range of health care workers, including those at psychiatric health facilities, urgent care clinics, and residential settings. However, it does not cover employees at state-run health care facilities.
While the minimum wage for most workers in California is currently $16 an hour, voters will decide in November whether to gradually raise it to $18 an hour by 2026, potentially making it the highest statewide minimum wage in the U.S. Fast food workers in California are already required to be paid a minimum of $20 hourly under a separate law signed by Gov. Newsom last year.
Despite concerns raised by some health care providers about the financial impact of the law, many hospitals in the state have already begun implementing wage increases in line with the original timeline. The legislation was temporarily delayed this year to help address a significant budget shortfall.
The law's proponents argue that it will support workers and ensure continued access to health care services, striking a balance between improving wages and safeguarding jobs in community hospitals throughout California.
