Alameda County may vote on raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour

Labor leaders in Alameda County launched the "Oakland and Alameda Living Wage for All Campaign" and plan to file initiatives for the November ballot that would raise the county minimum wage to $30 an hour. Supporters cited MIT Living Wage estimates showing higher local living costs as a reason for the proposal.

Labor leaders and community organizations announced the "Oakland and Alameda Living Wage for All Campaign" and plan to file initiatives for the November ballot to raise the county minimum wage to $30 an hour. Supporters described the move as a response to local affordability concerns and cited MIT Living Wage estimates showing higher costs for families in Alameda County. The proposal would phase in a $30 hourly minimum by 2030 for companies with more than 100 employees and over $1 billion in annual revenue, while small businesses with 25 or fewer workers would have a decade to reach $30. As of Jan. 1, 2026, California's statewide minimum wage is $16.90 an hour and several cities in the county already have higher local minimums. Key details: - The campaign is called the "Oakland and Alameda Living Wage for All Campaign" and organizers plan to file initiatives for the November election. - Supporters cited the MIT Living Wage calculator, which estimated roughly $40 an hour for a two-parent, two-child household if both parents work and about $55 an hour if one parent works. - The proposal would phase in $30 an hour by 2030 for employers with more than 100 employees and over $1 billion in revenue. - Small businesses with 25 or fewer workers would be given ten years to reach the $30 hourly rate. - As of Jan. 1, 2026, California's minimum wage is $16.90, and several Alameda County cities list higher local minimums, including Berkeley and Emeryville. Summary: Organizers say the measure responds to affordability concerns and aims to raise wages gradually by employer size. The next step reported is filing the initiatives for the November ballot so voters may decide on the measure.