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HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in Los Angeles

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$16.78

What is the minimum wage in Los Angeles?

The minimum wage in Los Angeles is currently $16.78 per hour. This is the highest minimum wage in the state of California, and it is set to increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index. The minimum wage is important for ensuring that all workers in Los Angeles can earn a living wage. However, there are some challenges associated with the minimum wage, such as the potential for job losses and price increases.

History of the Minimum Wage in Los Angeles

The minimum wage in Los Angeles has been increasing steadily over the past few years. In 2016, the minimum wage was $10.50 per hour. In 2017, it increased to $12.00 per hour. In 2018, it increased to $13.25 per hour. In 2019, it increased to $14.25 per hour. And in 2020, it increased to $15.00 per hour.

Los Angeles has a separate minimum wage ordinance that applies to businesses with 25 or more employees. This ordinance sets the minimum wage at $16.78 per hour. The ordinance also requires businesses to provide paid sick leave and paid family leave.

Benefits of the Minimum Wage

The Los Angeles minimum wage has several benefits for workers. First, it helps to ensure that all workers earn a living wage. This means that they can afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and transportation. Second, the minimum wage can help to reduce poverty. Third, the minimum wage can help to boost the economy by increasing consumer spending.

Challenges of the Minimum Wage

There are also some challenges associated with the Los Angeles minimum wage. First, it can lead to job losses. When the minimum wage increases, some businesses may be forced to lay off workers in order to cut costs. Second, the minimum wage can lead to price increases. When businesses have to pay their workers more, they may pass those costs on to consumers in the form of higher prices.

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$32.38

What is the average wage in Los Angeles?

The average wage in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the minimum wage. In 2022, the average wage in Los Angeles was $67,280 per year. This means that the average worker in Los Angeles earns about $32.38 per hour.

The minimum wage and average wage in Los Angeles are both significantly higher than the national average. This is due to the high cost of living in Los Angeles. The minimum wage helps to ensure that all workers in Los Angeles can earn a living wage, but it can also lead to job losses and price increases. The average wage in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the minimum wage, but it is still lower than the cost of living in the city.

In addition to the city's minimum wage, there are also a number of other laws in Los Angeles that impact wages. For example, the city has a law that requires employers to provide paid sick leave to all employees. The city also has a law that prohibits employers from asking about an employee's salary history.

The minimum wage and other wage laws in Los Angeles are designed to help ensure that all workers in the city have a fair chance to succeed. These laws help to ensure that workers are paid a living wage, that they have access to paid sick leave, and that they are not discriminated against based on their salary history.

Wages aren’t everything!

While pay is one of the main factors that hourly employees consider when choosing to join (or stay at) a company, it’s not the end all be all. Research shows that advancement opportunities, supportive management, and schedule flexibility are all incredibly important as well.

Want to learn more about this trend? We dive deep into the data behind which perks and benefits matter most to hourly workers. Check out our full conversation with expert Sara Wasserteil of Cara Collective.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area.

Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

  • Short, easy to understand job descriptions
  • Mobile-friendliness
  • Quick communication
  • Streamlined interview stages
Resources

Learn more about hiring and
retaining the hourly workforce

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HIRING HACKS

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We're here to help!

A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.

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