In California, many healthcare workers will start earning a minimum of $18 an hour in their paychecks, while those at some larger health organizations will begin getting paid at least $23 an hour this week. A law signed last year was set to increase workers’ pay over the next decade starting in June, but the start date was delayed until this week because of budget concerns. A new $25 hourly rate will gradually go into effect. About 350,000 workers will benefit under the law, according to AP. Â
By comparison: California’s minimum wage is $16 an hour, but on election day, voters will decide on a ballot measure to increase the rate to $18 an hour by 2026. A separate law passed last year boosted the pay of fast food workers to $20 an hour. California claims second-highest cost of living in the United States, behind top-ranked Hawaii