The year-end pay increases boosted California’s weekly wage to $1,872. That’s 24% above the nation’s $1,507 and fifth-highest nationally.

Higher wages, not enough hours in a week California fast food workers are now the highest paid in the nation. Pay for impacted workers jumped 8% to 9% on average since April 2024, according to Reich.

Restaurant Daily California wages, Texas flooding, Honeygrow growth Get all the headlines in today’s Restaurant Daily podcast Bret Thorn, Senior Food Editor, Nation's Restaurant News July 8, 2025 ...