American bills in a wallet. The minimum wage in unincorporated San Mateo County will rise to $17.95 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2026. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)

Workers in unincorporated parts San Mateo County will get a pay boost next year, the county Office of Labor and Standards Enforcement announced this week.  

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage will increase by .49 cents to $17.95 per hour.  

The raise applies to those who work at least two hours per week within the unincorporated portions of the county, which includes the areas of North Fair Oaks, Broadmoor, Montara, Moss Beach, Pescadero, and the San Mateo Highlands.  

The minimum wage in San Mateo County increases annually in alignment with the consumer price index. The county’s new minimum wage will be $1.05 more than the statewide minimum wage for 2026.  

Most incorporated cities in the county set their own minimum wages, with Redwood City and Belmont having the highest rates.  

Workers in unincorporated San Mateo County who have concerns with the compliance of employers in implementing fair labor practices and paying the minimum wage can contact the Office of Labor and Standards Enforcement at (866) 870-7726 or olse@smcgov.org  

Alise Maripuu is an intern at BCN with a focus on covering the Peninsula. Originally from San Carlos, Alise discovered her passion for journalism after studying abroad in Thailand during her senior year attending UC Santa Cruz. Her experience in Thailand taught her the consequences for democracy when living in a society with strict laws against free speech. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history, Alise took courses in journalism at Skyline Community College to learn how to write for news. As the Chief Copy Editor on Skyline’s student-run newspaper for the 2023-24 school year, Alise gained editing and managing experience leading a team of reporters. She covered hyperlocal stories affecting her campus such as the rise in food and housing insecurity. Alise wants to focus on data journalism.