Author: christyevangeline

Across California, small businesses are bracing for another increase in labor costs in 2026, but many owners are finding that the effects of that increase are much more widespread than just a higher hourly cost. The state’s projected 2.49% inflation increase to the minimum wage would cause a significant change in exempt employee salaries, which would reach about $16.90 per hour. The primary concern for many employers is not the rate of pay. The reason why California has a salary requirement for white-collar exempt employees is directly related to the minimum wage. Once the new rules start, those who skip…