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# California may set $19.75 minimum wage for seasonal farmworkers starting 2027

Publication Date: 2026-02-25T20:00:34-05:00
Last Updated: 2026-02-25T07:23:06-05:00

Author: Editors (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/fertilizereditors/)

Categories: [Trade & Policy](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/trade-and-policy/)

![The state capital](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/the-state-capital-stockpack-istock-scaled.jpg)

New bill targets temporary and seasonal agricultural workers as part of broader effort to create industry-specific wage standards.

California lawmakers are considering legislation that, if enacted, would raise the minimum hourly wage for certain agricultural workers to $19.75 beginning January 1, 2027. The bill, AB 2646, introduced on February 20 by Assemblywoman Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento), aims to establish a higher pay floor for “approved agricultural employees” and those in comparable roles.

Under current state law, the baseline minimum wage for most California workers is $16.90 per hour, effective January 1, 2026 after an annual cost-of-living adjustment. AB 2646 would set a premium of more than $2.80 above that floor for targeted farmworkers, with the rate subject to annual inflation adjustments thereafter.

The proposal defines eligible workers largely as non-California residents employed on a temporary or seasonal basis with permits approved by state agencies, a category expected to encompass most workers hired under the federal H-2A agricultural visa program. The bill would also extend the higher wage to in-state workers performing substantially similar tasks. Proponents frame the wage increase as a response to federal wage rule changes that could otherwise depress earnings for temporary farmworkers; critics warn it could raise labor costs and complicate hiring for growers. The measure must pass both legislative chambers and be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to become law.

Tags: [California](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/california/), [field works](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/field-works/), [legislation](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/legislation/), [seasonal agricultural job](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/seasonal-agricultural-job/), [United States](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/united-states/), [wage](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/wage/)

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