California exempt salary threshold
To be exempt from overtime under the executive, administrative, or professional exemptions, a full-time employee must earn at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time work. The employee must also meet the duties test for the exemption.
Current threshold
$70,304 per year
Not yet checked against the primary source
That's $5,858.67 a month or $1,352 a week, based on the statewide minimum wage of $16.90.
Scheduled
$72,384 per year
Not yet checked against the primary source
$6,032 a month or $1,392 a week, based on a $17.40 minimum wage.
How it's calculated
State minimum wage × 2 × 2,080 hours (40 hours a week for 52 weeks). We don't type this number in; it's calculated from the minimum wage record, so it changes the moment that record does and carries the same source and check date.
Local minimum wages don't change the threshold. Some industries have their own: covered fast food employees must earn twice the fast food minimum wage.
Past thresholds
- $70,304 from January 1, 2026
- $68,640 from January 1, 2025