California paid family leave
Up to 8 weeks of paid family leave at 70-90% of wages
California Paid Family Leave pays benefits for up to 8 weeks to bond with a new child or care for a seriously ill family member. For claims starting on or after January 1, 2025, the EDD pays 90% of wages for workers earning under $63,000 a year and 70% for higher earners; the program is funded by employee payroll contributions.
- Effective
- Jan 1, 2025
Local notes & what to do
California's minimum wage rose to $16.90 on January 1, 2026, which automatically lifted the exempt salary floor to $70,304 a year because the threshold is set at twice the minimum wage. California is unusual in having daily overtime (1.5x after 8 hours in a day, 2x after 12) and it allows no tip credit at all. Paid family leave benefits rose on January 1, 2025 to 90% of wages for workers earning under $63,000 a year. Many California cities set local minimum wages above the state rate.