In the News: Arcelia Magaña and Anissa Elhaiesahar Featured in HR.com on San Diego Minimum Wage Updates for 2026
Constangy attorneys Arcelia N. Magaña and Anissa Elhaiesahar authored an article published in the March 2026 issue of HR.com’s HR Legal & Compliance Excellence Magazine entitled, "San Diego Minimum Wage Updates for 2026."
They outlined the recent minimum wage increases affecting workers across California and, more specifically, within the city of San Diego. As of January 1, California’s statewide minimum wage rose to $16.90 per hour, also increasing the salary threshold for most exempt employees to $70,304 annually. Certain categories of workers already receive higher minimum wage rates under state law. Many local jurisdictions maintain their own wage ordinances. In San Diego, the city’s minimum wage increased to $17.75 per hour for work performed within city boundaries. Employers with operations spanning multiple jurisdictions must understand which locations fall under local wage rules to remain compliant.
San Diego has also adopted a separate Hospitality Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance, effective July 1, which gradually increases wages for employees in hotels, amusement parks and event centers, with the goal of reaching $25 per hour by 2030.
They suggested to comply with these changes, employers must update job postings, ensure required notices are displayed and track annual wage increases. The overlapping nature of statewide, city-wide and industry-specific wage rules creates elevated compliance risks, especially for hospitality businesses operating across multiple locations.
To read the full article on HR.com's website, you may click here.
The article was a republication of Arcelia’s and Anissa’s earlier blog post, “San Diego Minimum Wage Update for 2026.”
Arcelia Magaña is a partner based in Constangy's San Diego office. She is a litigator and trial attorney who focuses her practice on labor and employment law. She has successfully defended employers in numerous wage-and-hour class and PAGA actions and advises on compliance with evolving state and federal requirements. Drawing on experience in the hospitality industry and her background on the plaintiffs’ side, Arcelia helps clients align legal strategy with business objectives.
Anissa Elhaiesahar is a labor and employment litigator based in San Diego. Anissa defends employers in a wide range of workplace matters, including claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations. Anissa also counsels clients on personnel policies and compliance issues related to hiring, discipline, employee leave, classification, and compensation.
