What you need to know:  Since the $20 an hour minimum wage law went into effect, California has added 11,000 new fast food jobs. As of July, California now has 750,500 fast food jobs – the most in state history.

SACRAMENTO - According to new state and federal employment data, California’s fast food industry has added jobs every month this year, including 11,000 new jobs in the four months since Governor Gavin Newsom signed the fast food minimum wage increase into law, helping workers get the benefits they deserve

For the first time in history, California now boasts 750,500 fast food jobs throughout the state – more than ever before. Since raising worker wages, every month this year has seen consistent fast food job gains, and nearly each month has seen more jobs than the same month last year.

Here’s a breakdown of the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

- January 2024: 724,900

                -- January 2023: 715,000

- February 2024: 732,700

                -- February 2023: 725,100

- March 2024: 735,000

                -- March 2023: 730,900

- April 2024: 739,500

                -- April 2023: 734,400

- May 2024: 743,300

                -- May 2023: 742,600

- June 2024: 744,700

                -- June 2023: 745,800

- July 2024: 750,500

                -- July 2023: 746,700

“What’s good for workers is good for business, and as California’s fast food industry continues booming every single month our workers are finally getting the pay they deserve. Despite those who pedaled lies about how this would doom the industry, California’s economy and workers are again proving them wrong.” - Governor Gavin Newsom

In September of last year, Governor Newsom signed legislation to increase the minimum wage for California’s more than 500,000 fast–food workers to $20 per hour. It also created the Fast Food Council where workers have a stronger say in setting minimum wages and working conditions, including health and safety standards.