California · updated 2026-10
California Overtime & Break Laws
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek and after 8 hours a day; double time after 12 hours a day.
Overtime
8h / day · 40h / week
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek and after 8 hours a day; double time after 12 hours a day.
Labor Code 510: 1.5x for hours over 8 and up to 12 in a workday and over 40 in a week; 2x over 12 in a workday. On the 7th consecutive workday of a workweek, the first 8 hours are 1.5x and hours past 8 are 2x. Alternative workweek schedules can change the daily thresholds.
Meal break
30 min
Yes: 30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours, usually unpaid. Labor Code 512: first meal by the end of the 5th hour (can be waived by mutual consent if the workday is no more than 6 hours). Second 30-minute meal if the employee works more than 10 hours (waivable if no more than 12 hours and the first meal was not waived). A missed meal costs 1 hour of premium pay.
Rest breaks
10 min paid
Yes: a paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours worked. IWC orders: a net 10 minutes paid for every 4 hours worked or major fraction thereof. Not required if total daily work is under 3.5 hours. A missed rest break costs 1 hour of premium pay.
Minimum wage
$16.90
$16.90 an hour (since 2026-01-01). Applies to all employers; there is no tip credit. Fast-food ($20.00) and health-care workers have higher industry rates. Many cities and counties set higher local rates (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland).
California time card
| Day | Clock in | Break min | Clock out | Hours |
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California pay and break questions
When does overtime start in California?
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek and after 8 hours a day; double time after 12 hours a day. Labor Code 510: 1.5x for hours over 8 and up to 12 in a workday and over 40 in a week; 2x over 12 in a workday. On the 7th consecutive workday of a workweek, the first 8 hours are 1.5x and hours past 8 are 2x. Alternative workweek schedules can change the daily thresholds.
Are lunch breaks required in California?
Yes: 30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours, usually unpaid. Labor Code 512: first meal by the end of the 5th hour (can be waived by mutual consent if the workday is no more than 6 hours). Second 30-minute meal if the employee works more than 10 hours (waivable if no more than 12 hours and the first meal was not waived). A missed meal costs 1 hour of premium pay.
Are rest breaks required in California?
Yes: a paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours worked. IWC orders: a net 10 minutes paid for every 4 hours worked or major fraction thereof. Not required if total daily work is under 3.5 hours. A missed rest break costs 1 hour of premium pay.
What is the minimum wage in California?
$16.90 an hour (since 2026-01-01). Applies to all employers; there is no tip credit. Fast-food ($20.00) and health-care workers have higher industry rates. Many cities and counties set higher local rates (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland).
Workers under 18 in California
Teens have extra limits on hours and times of day, and may need a work permit. See California teen work rules and which employers hire at 14 and 15.
Questions or a complaint? Contact the California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office (DLSE).