2025 Wage Compliance Across CA Jurisdictions

2025 has brought numerous changes in California law that affect your rights as an employee. An experienced Orange County wage and hour attorney at Skapik Law Group can explain your legal rights and help you take action as necessary.

It is vital that employers comply with wage and hour laws. These requirements not only govern how much and how you are paid, but they also allow you to receive overtime and meal breaks if you are not an exempt employee. The laws in the state continuously change because the amounts that the laws are keyed to are raised each year. Further, there are also legal developments in actual cases filed by plaintiffs that could affect your rights.

You can fight back against your employer by speaking to an Orange County employment law attorney at Skapik Law Group about potential legal action by calling us at (909) 398-4404. We help individuals take an aggressive legal posture against their employers when they have broken the law.

Increased Minimum Wage Under California Law

The minimum wage in California is set by law. It is markedly higher than the federal minimum wage. Employers must follow this law, as they can be liable for underpaying you under California law. The minimum wage is indexed to inflation, and it goes up on January 1 every year. The California Department of Industrial Relations publishes this rate at the beginning of each year. Based on changes in inflation, the state’s minimum wage has risen to $16.50 for 2025. There are certain occupations in the state that have even higher minimum wages. For example, fast food and healthcare workers are paid even more as a minimum wage. These wages are increased on July 1 of each year.

High Exempt Salary Thresholds

Both California and federal law regarding when you must receive time and a half overtime as an employee and meal breaks while you are on the job partially depend on the amount of money that you earn. The protections of the FLSA and California Labor Code only apply when you are a non-exempt employee.

There are several factors that must be met in order for you to be exempted from these requirements. One of these tests is the amount of money that you earn. You cannot be considered an exempt employee if you do not make at least twice as much as the minimum wage in the state, based on a 40-hour work week over 52 weeks of the year. Since the minimum wage in California has increased, the threshold salary floor has also increased. In 2025, the threshold salary has risen to $68,640.

Individual Jurisdictions May Have Their Own Rules

Not only must employees be aware of their rights under California law, but they must also know the rules that apply in their specific jurisdiction. For example, certain municipalities in California have higher minimum wages than what is required by state law. These minimum wage requirements could be adjusted upward each year based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. Always check the law, and do not draw any assumptions about whether you are being paid legally. You can not only file a lawsuit if you are not being paid correctly pursuant to state law, but you may also seek compensation if you are not receiving a minimum wage that prevails in your own individual jurisdiction.

Current and Recent Lawsuits Regarding Wage and Hour Compliance

In addition to changes in state law, you must also be aware of recent lawsuits and legal developments in the wage and hour area to fully protect your own rights. One current major issue facing California workers is how they are qualified. Many companies attempt to categorize their workers as independent contractors to avoid minimum wage and other labor law requirements. There is a major lawsuit against Uber and Lyft pending in the state, alleging that these companies improperly classified workers and independent contractors and engaged in wage theft.

In addition, there was also a major recent settlement in a lawsuit filed by over 1,700 employees at RTX/Rohr, Inc. The employees alleged that they were denied meal and rest breaks as required by law. They also claimed that the company failed to pay overtime wages, since they were not exempt employees. The company recently settled the lawsuit for nearly $20 million.

Contact an Orange County Wage and Hour Law Firm Today

If you believe that your employer has underpaid you in violation of California or federal law, speak to an experienced Orange County wage and hour lawyer at Skapik Law Group.  We can help you file an individual or class action lawsuit to seek compensation. You can schedule a free initial consultation with a wage and hour lawyer by visiting our website or by calling us today at (909) 398-4404.