September 2022

Wage Rate Hikes in Sonoma County

Beginning January 1, 2023 hourly wages in Santa Rosa will rise from $15.85 to $17.06 which is a nearly 8% increase.  The state's minimum wage will increase to $15.50. Supporters of this county increase hope the increase helps with the rising costs of goods from gas to groceries.   Mayor Chris Rogers stated that "Our minimum wage ordinance seeks to address this locally given Sonoma County's high cost of living."  The Santa Rosa ordinance applies to all businesses regardless of size and is adjusted annually to account for increases in cost of living.

Petaluma and Sonoma adopted wage increase plans in 2019.  Petaluma will now have to pay at least $17.06 per hour while in Sonoma minimum wage will rise to $17 at large companies and to $16 at companies with 25 or fewer workers.