Los Angeles City Council Set to Approve $30 Minimum Wage for Hotel and Airport Workers

Los Angeles City Council Set to Approve $30 Minimum Wage for Hotel and Airport Workers

Los Angeles is on the verge of enacting one of the most ambitious minimum wage increases in the country. On May 23, 2025, the City Council is expected to give final approval to a measure that would raise the minimum wage for hotel and airport workers to $30 per hour by 2028.

The proposal, introduced by Councilmember Curren Price in 2023, aims to address the city's soaring cost of living and to ensure that workers in critical roles are fairly compensated. This move comes as the city prepares to host major global events, including the 2028 Summer Olympics, which are expected to significantly boost tourism.

Under the ordinance, wages for covered workers will begin at $22.50 per hour in July 2025, with annual increases of $2.50, culminating in a $30 hourly wage by July 2028. In addition to these increases, starting July 2026, eligible workers will receive an $8.35 per hour healthcare payment.

The measure passed a preliminary vote earlier this month with a 12-3 majority, signaling strong support within the council. Proponents argue that the raise is a long-overdue correction to wages that have not kept pace with inflation or the cost of housing in Los Angeles.

However, not everyone is on board. Some business owners and hotel operators have voiced concerns that the increased labor costs could strain their operations. They warn of potential job losses, reduced hiring, or even business closures if the ordinance is implemented without modifications.

In response to these concerns, several councilmembers have proposed amendments aimed at easing the transition. Councilwoman Nithya Raman has called for economic impact assessments to be conducted six months before and after the wage increases take effect, as well as a one-year study on the ordinance’s effects. Councilwoman Imelda Padilla suggested that hotel workers should not be required to attend multiple public housekeeping training sessions, aiming to streamline compliance requirements.

If approved, this wage hike would place Los Angeles at the forefront of the national movement to secure living wages for service industry workers, particularly in high-cost urban areas. The final vote will determine whether the city moves forward with this landmark labor policy.

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