California's Minimum Wage Increase for Health Care Workers Takes Effect on October 16

Originally scheduled to go into effect on June 1, the implementation of the law was delayed due to concerns over its impact on the budget.Photo byLuis MelendezonUnsplash

A significant minimum wage increase for certain health care workers in California is set to take effect on October 16. Senate Bill 525, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last year, gradually raises pay for the state’s lowest-paid health workers to $25 per hour over the next decade.

Originally scheduled to go into effect on June 1, the implementation of the law was delayed due to concerns over its impact on the California budget. The law is projected to cost the state approximately $1.4 billion in the first six months of its rollout, according to earlier estimates from the Department of Finance.

The increase will benefit workers in health care facilities that provide direct patient care or support services related to health care, impacting thousands of employees across the state.