Golden State Today

Since the $20 an hour minimum wage law went into effect, California has added 11,000 new fast food jobs. As of July, California now has 750,500 fast food jobs – the most in state history.

SACRAMENTO — According to new state and federal employment data, California’s fast food industry has added jobs every month this year, including 11,000 new jobs in the four months since Governor Gavin Newsom signed the fast food minimum wage increase into law.

For the first time in history, California now boasts 750,500 fast food jobs throughout the state – more than ever before. Since raising worker wages, every month this year has seen consistent fast food job gains and nearly each month has seen more jobs than the same month last year.

Here is a breakdown of the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

January 2024: 724,900

January 2023: 715,000

February 2024: 732,700

February 2023: 725,100

March 2024: 735,000

March 2023: 730,900

April 2024: 739,500

April 2023: 734,400

May 2024: 743,300

May 2023: 742,600

June 2024: 744,700

June 2023:745,800

July 2024: 750.500

July 2023;746.700

“What’s good for workers is good for business,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “As California’s fast food industry continues booming every single month our workers are finally getting the pay they deserve. Despite those who pedaled lies about how this would doom the industry; California’s economy and workers are again proving them wrong.”

In September of last year Governor Newsom signed legislation to increase the minimum wage for California’s more than 5000.00 fast–food workers to $20 per hour. It also created The Fast Food Council where workers have a stronger say in setting minimum wages and working conditions including health and safety standards.