LA City Council Advances $30 Minimum Wage for Tourism Workers
Despite concerns over economic impacts, the LA City Council voted last year to begin drafting an ordinance to raise the minimum wage for airport and hotel workers to $30 by 2028.
This week, the council advanced the proposal in a 12–3 vote, with a final vote expected next week.
The move comes as LA gears up to host major events like the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics.
What’s in the Proposal?
The motion, introduced by City Council members Curren Price and Katy Yaroslavsky, would increase the minimum wage for workers in the tourism sector to $30 by 2028.
The proposal describes tourism workers that work at LAX and employees of hotels with over sixty guest rooms. Currently, the minimum wage for large hotel workers is over $20, nearly two dollars higher than the standard minimum wage in the city.
Backed by unions such as Unite Here Local 11 and SEIU-United Service Workers West, the proposal argues that workers in one of the city’s most prominent industries deserve higher wages.
The LA City Council Economic Development and Jobs Committee has recently approved their own amendments.
Wage Increases: Would be implemented gradually, starting with $22.50 per hour in July 2025, increasing to $25 in 2026, $27.50 in 2027, and finally $30 in July 2028.
Training Requirement: Employers must provide six hours of paid training annually to each employee. Training must cover worker rights, harassment and discrimination prevention, health and safety protocols, and complaint procedures.
Collective Bargaining: Allows training to be waived through union agreements.
Training Exemption: There will be an exemption from the training requirement if the hotel employer can show that they would have to reduce their workforce by more than 20% or reduce workers' hours by more than 30% to avoid shutting down. The hotel employer must notify their workers before submitting an exemption application and the results of that application.
Health Benefits: Starting in July 2025, hotel employers would have to pay at least $8.35 an hour (by July 2026) to hotel workers for Heathcare benefits. If the health benefit is less than that, the difference must be paid to the worker as an added hourly wage increase.
Enforcement Measures: Employees may file complaints with the Bureau of Contract Administration. Employers found in violation will receive penalties. The City may also suspend, or revoke permits or contracts for non-compliant employers.
The chief legislative analyst will have to report back to the Economic Development and Jobs Committee in 6 months on the effects of the wage increase. For example, business closures and hardship exemption requests.
Advocacy and Opposition
Business leaders and organizations, including the Hotel Association of Los Angeles, BizFed, and several chambers of commerce, have voiced strong opposition.
They argue that the hospitality sector is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and that the proposed wage increases could significantly strain the industry.
What’s Next?
The City Council is set to cast a final vote on the tourism wage proposal next week.
This proposal has been criticized by some council members and business leaders who argue it could harm the city's economic recovery and lead to significant job losses and business closures.
For example, BizFed reports that this wage hike would lead to an estimated $1.1 billion decline in spending and 15,000 job losses.
Click here to send an email to the LA City Council, asking them to delay the ordinance and it’s damaging effects.
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