City of San Mateo Minimum Wage Ordinance
As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage for the City of San Mateo is $16.75 per hour for all employees, according to the City Council adopted wage schedule.
The minimum wage is adjusted based on the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) on January 1st of each year. As of August 15, 2022, the City Council set a CPI cap of 3.5% each year with a catch-up provision for future years.
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.
The schedule below applies for employers and employees within the City of San Mateo.
Effective Date |
Citywide Minimum Wage |
CPI Percentage |
Percent increase in Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
January 1, 2023 |
$16.75 |
5.7% |
3.5% |
Report Wage Violations
Office of Equality Assurance
200 East Santa Clara Street, 5th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 535-8430
Email: mywage@sanjoseca.gov
Questions for City of San Mateo
City Manager’s Office
330 West 20th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403
Phone: (650) 522-7277
Email: minimumwage@cityofsanmateo.org
2023 Minimum Wage Documents Available for Download
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Minimum Wage Increase - January 1, 2023
As of January 1, 2023, employers who are subject to the City of San Mateo Business License Tax or who maintain a facility in the City of San Mateo must pay to each employee who performs at least two (2) hours of work per week in City of San Mateo, minimum wages not less than $16.75 per hour. The minimum wage requirement set forth in the City of San Mateo Minimum Wage Ordinance 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 according to the schedule adopted by the San Mateo City Council.
Under the Minimum Wage Ordinance, 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 the Minimum Wage Ordinance 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 of the Minimum Wage Ordinance by ordering reinstatement of employees, payment of back wages unlawfully withheld, and penalties.
- As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in the City of San Mateo is $16.75 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, 2023, the minimum wage in the City of San Mateo is $16.75 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.