Minimum Wage will Rise to $17.95 an Hour Beginning New Years Day in Unincorporated San Mateo County

Redwood City - San Mateo County's minimum wage will rise to $17.95 per hour in unincorporated areas starting Jan. 1, 2026, up 49 cents from the 2025 minimum wage.

The County's minimum wage rate applies to all employees who work at least two hours per week within the geographic boundaries of unincorporated San Mateo County, with few exceptions. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, these workers must earn at least $17.95 per hour for all hours worked in the unincorporated areas.

The Board of Supervisors first set a minimum wage for unincorporated areas in November 2022, recognizing the challenges faced by low-wage workers in one of the most expensive regions in the United States. The minimum wage went into effect in April 2023 and increases annually in alignment with the consumer price index.

The minimum wage applies to nearly all workers, regardless of immigration status, across a wide geographic region. This includes North Fair Oaks, home to the bustling Middlefield Road corridor, agricultural land stretching from south of Pacifica to Pescadero, Broadmoor Village in the North County and other unincorporated pockets.

The County's Office of Labor Standard and Enforcement enforces the minimum wage. Officially launched in July 2025, the office conducts outreach and education efforts with workers and employers to increase awareness of minimum wage requirements, investigates minimum wage complaints, and may also conduct spot checks to proactively ensure employers are following the law.

Workers in unincorporated San Mateo County who have questions about their rights, or have not been paid the minimum wage for all hours worked can report problems to the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement by calling 866-870-7726, emailing [email protected], or submitting an online complaint. The office accepts complaints in any language. Workers may report concerns anonymously and/or confidentially.

The Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement also offers employers several tools to support their compliance with the minimum wage, including access to a free and confidential Labor Advice Hotline staffed by attorneys from the office's nonprofit partner, the Step Forward Foundation. Employers with questions about their compliance obligations are encouraged to contact the Advice Line at 866-870-7725.

An official, multilingual notice (suitable for printing) along with details about the increase, frequently asked questions and other resources can be found at https://www.smcgov.org/minwage.

Shane Ross

Labor Standards Manager

650-670-5441

[email protected]