The San Diego City Council recently adopted the Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance that will increase the pay for employees who work at hotels, event centers and amusement parks over the next several years. The wage increases will take effect on July 1, 2026. The City of San Diego’s current minimum wage is $17.25 per hour for all employees working within the geographical boundaries of the city.
At the same time, the city council adopted amendments to the San Diego Living Wage Ordinance to remove city facility agreements and employers from that law, making clear that those facilities will now fall under the new Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance instead.
New Minimum Wage Rates for Hotel, Amusement Park Employees
The minimum wage for covered hotel and amusement park employees is expected to rise over the next five years as follows:
- $19.00 per hour on July 1, 2026.
- $20.50 per hour on July 1, 2027.
- $22.00 per hour on July 1, 2028.
- $23.50 per hour on July 1, 2029.
- $25.00 per hour on July 1, 2030.
- Starting July 1, 2031, annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
For hotel employers, these wage increases apply to properties with 150 or more guest rooms. For amusement park employers, they apply to facilities comprised of at least 75 contiguous acres, located within the territorial boundaries of the city and operated pursuant to an agreement with the city.
New Minimum Wage Rates for Event Center Employees
The minimum wage for covered event center employees is expected to rise over the next five years as follows:
- $21.06 per hour on July 1, 2026.
- $22.00 per hour on July 1, 2027.
- $23.00 per hour on July 1, 2028.
- $24.00 per hour on July 1, 2029.
- $25.00 per hour on July 1, 2030.
- Starting July 1, 2031, annually adjusted based on the CPI.
The ordinance defines “event center” as the following facilities: Petco Park, Pechanga Arena San Diego, San Diego Convention Center and Civic Theatre, including all restaurants, bars, retails shops and parking facilities operating on the grounds of these facilities.
These wage increases may be overridden by a valid collective bargaining agreement that explicitly waives the provisions.
Notice and Postings
Once the ordinance becomes effective, employers must provide notice to all employees of the ordinance’s requirements. Covered employers must also provide notice to all new hires, as well as posting notice of the ordinance at all worksites. The City of San Diego is expected to create and publish notice forms that employers can use.
Vanessa M. Greene, J.D., Employment Law Subject Matter Expert, CalChamber
CalChamber members can read more about San Diego Minimum Wage Ordinance 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.
