On May 27, 2025, the Los Angeles City Council amended their Living Wage Ordinance (LWO) and Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance (HWMO) to increase hotel and airport worker minimum wages starting on July 1, 2025, as well as implemented a health benefit requirement for covered hotel workers and a new Hotel Worker Training Ordinance. These changes will significantly impact hotel and airport employers operating within the city of Los Angeles.
New Minimum Wage Rates
Both hotel and airport employers will see required hourly minimum wages rise over the next four years as follows:
- $22.50 per hour on July 1, 2025.
- $25.00 per hour on July 1, 2026.
- $27.50 per hour on July 1, 2027.
- $30.00 per hour on July 1, 2028.
- Starting July 1, 2029, adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
For hotel employers, these wage increases apply to properties with 60 or more guest rooms, unless overridden by a collective bargaining agreement that explicitly waives these provisions.
Enhanced Health Benefits
Additionally, starting July 1, 2026, covered hotel employers who don’t offer health benefits must add an additional amount to the required hourly wages listed above. That additional amount must match the health benefit rate already required for employers servicing the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
For airport employers, the required health benefit payment starts sooner — on July 1, 2025 — at $7.65/hour with annual increases starting in 2026 tied to the California Department of Managed Healthcare’s Large Group Aggregate Rates.
Mandatory Training for Hotel Workers
Finally, beginning December 1, 2025, new training requirements for hotel workers will take effect. Covered employees must receive at least six hours of live, interactive “Public Housekeeping Training” that covers:
- Hotel worker rights and employer responsibilities;
- How to identify and respond to suspected human trafficking, domestic violence or threatening behavior;
- Cleaning techniques that help prevent the spread of disease;
- How to detect and avoid insect and vermin infestations; and
- How to recognize and respond to other potentially criminal activity.
Vanessa M. Greene, J.D., Employment Law Subject Matter Expert, CalChamber
CalChamber members can read more about Los Angeles City’s Minimum Wage Ordinance and Los Angeles City’s Hotel Workers Minimum Wage Ordinance (HWMO) in the HR Library, and use the Local Ordinance Wizard to help determine the local ordinances and labor law posters that apply to your business or location(s). Not a member? Learn how to power your business with a CalChamber membership.
