Alright, let's have an actual discussion here. I'm an econ major at a Cal State, and I've been watching the discourse around the california minimum wage 2026 increase with interest. Yes, it's great that the state raised it to $16.90 on January 1st . But I keep seeing mixed reactions from actual students, and I'm curious what everyone here thinks.
First, the facts:
I work at a bookstore near campus, and I was already making $17.50 before the increase. My boss didn't raise my wage because I was already above the new minimum. So for students like me who already had jobs paying above minimum wage, this change did nothing. One student in a news article said exactly this—that it will be more helpful to incoming workers rather than current students who already hold jobs that pay higher .
Also, here's something that bothers me: California voters actually REJECTED Proposition 32 in 2024, which would have raised minimum wage to $18 . So the state went with the automatic inflation adjustment instead. I get why—some economists (including my professor) argue that when wages go up too fast, employers cut hours or hire fewer people . My econ teacher actually said "students are making just enough money" and that if wages keep increasing, positions might get cut .
But on the other hand, I have friends who literally make $16.90 at their on-campus jobs, and for them, this is real money. I talked to a guy at Cal Poly who works in dining and he said every cent helps with groceries and housing . Another student at UCSD mentioned that the increase affects student worker pay ranges automatically .
So here's my question for discussion: Is this increase actually meaningful for students, or is it just political theater? Does an extra $16 a week (if you work 40 hours) change anything for you? And for those of you in cities with higher local minimum wages—do you feel like you're actually better off, or do prices just go up to match?
I'm genuinely curious. Drop your thoughts below—bonus points if you bring data!
First, the facts:
- The increase is mandated by Labor Code section 1182.12(c) as an annual inflation adjustment
- It went up 40 cents from $16.50
- If you're a salaried exempt employee, you now need to make at least $70,304/year
I work at a bookstore near campus, and I was already making $17.50 before the increase. My boss didn't raise my wage because I was already above the new minimum. So for students like me who already had jobs paying above minimum wage, this change did nothing. One student in a news article said exactly this—that it will be more helpful to incoming workers rather than current students who already hold jobs that pay higher .
Also, here's something that bothers me: California voters actually REJECTED Proposition 32 in 2024, which would have raised minimum wage to $18 . So the state went with the automatic inflation adjustment instead. I get why—some economists (including my professor) argue that when wages go up too fast, employers cut hours or hire fewer people . My econ teacher actually said "students are making just enough money" and that if wages keep increasing, positions might get cut .
But on the other hand, I have friends who literally make $16.90 at their on-campus jobs, and for them, this is real money. I talked to a guy at Cal Poly who works in dining and he said every cent helps with groceries and housing . Another student at UCSD mentioned that the increase affects student worker pay ranges automatically .
So here's my question for discussion: Is this increase actually meaningful for students, or is it just political theater? Does an extra $16 a week (if you work 40 hours) change anything for you? And for those of you in cities with higher local minimum wages—do you feel like you're actually better off, or do prices just go up to match?
I'm genuinely curious. Drop your thoughts below—bonus points if you bring data!