Hourly Jobs in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles pays hourly workers better than almost any large city, and it stacks several protections on top of the wage. The city minimum is well above both the California and federal floors, California allows no tip credit so tips are yours on top of full pay, and the state pays daily overtime after eight hours, not just after forty in a week. Hotel and airport workers earn even more under a special rate that is climbing ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

Los Angeles at a glance

• Metro population: about 12.9 million
• Minimum wage: 18.42 per hour in the city of Los Angeles, adjusted each July for inflation
• How it compares: higher than the California state rate of 16.90, and it applies based on where you work
• No tip credit: tipped workers get the full minimum wage, with tips on top
• Hotel and airport workers: a higher rate of 25.00 per hour with health benefits, rising in the coming years
• Daily overtime: California pays time and a half after 8 hours in a day, not just after 40 in a week
• Cost of living: well above the national average, with one-bedroom rent around 2,400 per month

Top hourly industries hiring in Los Angeles

• Logistics and ports: the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach form the largest port complex in the country, driving heavy warehouse and freight hiring.
• Entertainment: film, television, and streaming production create steady demand for support, security, and crew roles.
• Hospitality and tourism: hotels, restaurants, and event venues keep service roles open, with more hiring ahead of major events.
• Healthcare: large hospital systems across the county hire CNAs, techs, and support staff.
• Retail and customer service: a huge consumer market means constant retail and service hiring.

Typical hourly pay in Los Angeles

• Retail associate: 18 to 22 per hour
• Fast food or line cook: 18 to 22 per hour
• Warehouse or port logistics: 19 to 26 per hour
• CNA or patient-care tech: 19 to 24 per hour
• Delivery driver: 19 to 25 per hour
• Hotel or hospitality worker: 22 to 25 per hour at large hotels

(Ranges are local estimates. Confirm against current BLS metro figures before publishing.)

Getting hired in Los Angeles

• The city rate (18.42) is higher than the California state rate and applies based on where you actually work, so city jobs pay more than many surrounding areas.
• California has no tip credit, so tipped workers get the full minimum plus tips, and it pays daily overtime after 8 hours, which can add up on long shifts.
• Hotel workers at larger properties and LAX airport workers earn a higher 25 per hour rate with health benefits.
• The densest hourly hiring is around the ports and logistics corridor, the studio and entertainment zones, and tourism areas, with big upcoming events driving hospitality hiring.