Minimum Wage in Modesto, CA (2026)
Modesto, California follows the California state minimum wage of $16.90/hour in 2026. As of 2026-09-10, TipFig identified no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance for Modesto, so employers apply the state rate shown below. Below: how the federal, state, and local layers interact, the tipped-wage rules, and the official sources behind every figure.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · 2026-09-10 · reviewed against primary tipping and tax sources
Applicable minimum wage in Modesto (2026)
$16.90/hr
Set by California state law — the highest applicable layer (federal, state, or local) an employer must pay.
Federal, State & Local Layers
Federal Min
$7.25/hr
CA State Min
$16.90/hr
Local (City) Min
None — follows state
Tipped Cash Wage
$16.90/hr
State Effective
January 1, 2026
Tip Credit?
No (full wage)
California Labor Code § 1182.12 sets a single statewide rate with no tip credit (tipped employees earn the full $16.90). Modesto has not enacted a local minimum-wage ordinance, so the statewide rate applies. Certain industries carry higher floors (fast food $20.00; health care tiered rates).
How the Layers Interact
Three levels of government can set a minimum wage: the federal floor (Fair Labor Standards Act, $7.25/hour in 2026), the state rate, and any local (city or county) ordinance. By law, an employer must pay the highest rate that applies to the worker. When a state or city sets a rate above the federal floor, the higher rate governs; the federal rate is the backstop.
In Modesto, no local ordinance overrides the California state rate, so the state minimum of $16.90/hour is the applicable wage. Tipped employees may be paid a lower direct cash wage only where state law allows a tip credit; California and other no-tip-credit states require tipped workers to receive the full minimum wage before tips.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Modesto, California in 2026?
As of 2026-09-10, Modesto has no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified, so employers apply the California state minimum wage of $16.90/hour (effective January 1, 2026). The federal floor is $7.25/hour; the higher state rate governs. Source: California Department of Industrial Relations — Minimum Wage ($16.90 effective January 1, 2026).
Does Modesto have its own minimum wage or follow California state law?
As of 2026-09-10, Modesto follows California state law ($16.90/hour). California Labor Code § 1182.12 sets a single statewide rate with no tip credit (tipped employees earn the full $16.90). Modesto has not enacted a local minimum-wage ordinance, so the statewide rate applies. Certain industries carry higher floors (fast food $20.00; health care tiered rates).
What is the tipped minimum wage in Modesto?
In California, the law prohibits the tip credit, so tipped employees earn the full $16.90/hour minimum wage in cash before tips. Tips are additional income the worker keeps.
Where can I verify the Modesto minimum wage?
The authoritative figures are published by California Department of Industrial Relations — Minimum Wage ($16.90 effective January 1, 2026) (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/minimum_wage.htm) and the U.S. Department of Labor Consolidated Minimum Wage Table. Minimum wages change frequently; always confirm the current rate with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions.
Other Minimum-Wage City Pages
Minimum-wage figures are compiled from public government sources for informational use and may change; verify with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions. State minimum-wage source: California Department of Industrial Relations — Minimum Wage ($16.90 effective January 1, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-10). Federal minimum wage: U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Consolidated Minimum Wage Table (Effective July 1, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-10). This page is not legal advice. See TipFig's Disclaimer.