layiq
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California pay transparency law: what it requires and who posts pay
California requires employers with 15 or more employees to put the pay scale in job postings, a rule in effect since Jan. 1, 2023. As of Oct 17, 2026, 75.8% of the 64,224 LAYIQ postings placed in California state a pay range, against 30.4% in the 36 states shown without a rule in our law table.
Who posts pay in California
As of Oct 17, 2026, LAYIQ lists 64,224 postings placed in California. 48,695 of them state a US dollar annual or hourly pay range or single figure.
- LAYIQ postings placed in the state
- 64,224
- Of those, stating pay
- 48,695
- Share stating pay
- 75.8%
Across the 36 shown states without a rule in the law table, 30.4% of postings state a pay range. The two groups differ in more than the law, such as their employers and the kinds of jobs they list, so this describes the postings and does not measure what any law does.
- A posting counts in every state where LAYIQ has placed one of its locations, so states overlap. A posting with no location placed in a state, such as some that name several places in one line and some remote postings, is in no state.
- A posting counts as stating pay when its pay is a US dollar annual or hourly pay range or single figure, recorded as a minimum and a maximum that can be equal. Monthly pay and other currencies are not counted.
- These shares do not say whether an employer follows a pay range law. A law reaches some employers and postings and not others, and LAYIQ cannot tell which apply to a posting.
- LAYIQ lists only postings from the last six calendar months, and a snapshot of what is open now over-represents postings that stay up for months.
As of . Pay ranges come from the employers' own postings.
The same numbers for every state with 200 or more postings are in the pay transparency CSV.
Download the CSVWhat the law says in California
The table is the part of the pay range law table that reaches this state, confirmed on official government pages as of October 13, 2026. The facts below come from the sources listed at the end of this page, each with the day LAYIQ read it. Laws change and details vary, so check the linked source or your state labor department before relying on a rule. This is general information, not legal advice.
| Jurisdiction | Who it covers | In effect since | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Employers with 15 or more employees1 | Jan. 1, 20232 | Labor Commissioner FAQ (opens in a new tab) |
What a posting has to show
- The pay scale, in the posting itself. The pay scale is a good-faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage range the employer reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire.1 The Labor Commissioner’s Office says it has to be in the posting, not behind a link or a QR code.1
- Commission and piece rates count. When a position’s pay is based on a piece rate or commission, the posting includes a good-faith estimate of that range. Bonuses, tips and other benefits are not required to be posted.1
- Remote jobs and job boards. The Labor Commissioner’s Office reads the rule to reach a posting for a position that may ever be filled in California, in person or remotely. An employer that has a third party post the job must give the third party the pay scale, and the third party must include it.1
- Enforcement. A person who says a posting broke the rule can file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner’s Office within one year of learning of it. An employer found in violation may be liable for civil penalties of $100 to $10,000 per violation.1
Browse California jobs by city
LAYIQ job pages for the biggest cities in California, each listing the openings LAYIQ has there.
- San Francisco, CA (12,856 jobs)
- Los Angeles, CA (5,664 jobs)
- Santa Clara, CA (3,489 jobs)
- San Diego, CA (3,243 jobs)
- San Jose, CA (2,621 jobs)
- Sunnyvale, CA (2,551 jobs)
How to cite
Please cite LAYIQ with the date of the law table and, for the share, the as-of date, and say the share describes the postings open at that moment. A suggested citation:
LAYIQ. “California pay transparency law: what it requires and who posts pay” Pay range law as of October 13, 2026; posting data as of Oct 17, 2026. https://layiq.ai/data/pay-transparency/california
The data on this page is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab). Credit it as “Source: LAYIQ (layiq.ai), CC BY 4.0”. A link back is welcome, never required.
Frequently asked questions
Does California require a pay range in job postings?
Yes, for employers with 15 or more employees, in any job posting.1 The Labor Commissioner’s Office reads that to cover a position that may ever be filled in California, in person or remotely.1
When did California’s pay transparency law start?
On January 1, 2023, when Senate Bill 1162 took effect. The California Civil Rights Department’s 2022 legislative summary lists the bill among those that become effective on that date unless stated otherwise, and gives no other date for it.2
What counts as a pay scale under California’s law?
A good-faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage range the employer reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire, including a piece rate or commission range where pay is based on one.1
What share of California job postings on LAYIQ state a pay range?
As of Oct 17, 2026, 75.8% of the 64,224 LAYIQ postings placed in California state a US dollar annual or hourly pay range or single figure. It describes the postings LAYIQ lists and does not say whether an employer follows the law.
Sources
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner’s Office. California Equal Pay Act: frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab). Accessed October 17, 2026.
- California Civil Rights Department. 2022 Legislative Summary (opens in a new tab). Accessed October 17, 2026.