El Cerrito Minimum Wage Will Increase To $16.37/Hour On Jan. 1

EL CERRITO, CA — Many workers in El Cerrito will soon see a bump in their paychecks — the city's minimum wage will rise to $16.37 per hour beginning next month.

Currently, minimum-wage employees in El Cerrito make $15.61 per hour. Their pay will increase by 4.9 percent under a city ordinance that allows for a minimum wage increase each year based on fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index.

The change, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2022, means any employee who performs at least two hours of work per week within the geographic limits of El Cerrito must be paid at least $16.37 per hour.

A city ordinance states that the ordinance applies equally to all full-time and part-time employees — regardless of the size of their employer — and that tips may not be counted toward payment of the minimum wage.

Any employee who believes they are not being paid correctly can file a civil lawsuit. They can also contact the City of El Cerrito's Office of the City Manager, as city officials have access to payroll records and will investigate possible violations.