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Arkansas vs California: Minimum Wage
California has a higher minimum wage than Arkansas by $6.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for minimum wage.
Arkansas
#26 · $11.00/hr
California
#2 · $16.50/hr
Lowest
Highest
Top 10 States — Minimum Wage
#1
Washington
$16.66/hr
Washington
#2
California
$16.50/hr
California
#3
New York
$16.50/hr
New York
#4
Connecticut
$16.35/hr
Connecticut
#5
Hawaii
$16.00/hr
Hawaii
#6
Oregon
$15.95/hr
Oregon
#7
New Jersey
$15.49/hr
New Jersey
#8
Illinois
$15.00/hr
Illinois
#9
Maryland
$15.00/hr
Maryland
#10
Massachusetts
$15.00/hr
Massachusetts
Selected states
#26
Arkansas
$11.00/hr
Arkansas
Arkansas ranks 26th and California ranks 2nd nationally for minimum wage.
Related context
Minimum Wage in Context
A minimum wage only makes sense relative to what things cost and what the local market actually pays.
What this means
Arkansas vs California: Minimum Wage in context
California's minimum wage is $16.50/hr, compared with $11.00/hr in Arkansas, a gap of 50.0%. State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).
Arkansas
$11.00/hr
California
$16.50/hr
Difference
$6
People also ask
Arkansas vs California Minimum Wage — common questions
QWhat is Arkansas's minimum wage?
Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00/hr.
QWhat is California's minimum wage?
California's minimum wage is $16.50/hr.
QWhich state has a higher minimum wage — Arkansas or California?
California has a higher minimum wage than Arkansas by $6.
QHow much more minimum wage does California have compared to Arkansas?
$6.
More comparisons: Arkansas vs California
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Data source and freshness
Primary source
Data period
January 1, 2026
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Statewide base minimum; local and occupation-specific rules may differ.