Why IHSS Wages Differ by County in California — and What It Means for You

Why IHSS Wages Differ by County in California

California IHSS providers in San Francisco can earn over $20/hour. Providers in rural counties earn the state minimum of $18.65/hour. Same job, same program, same state — different pay. Here is why.

The Two-Part Wage Structure

Every IHSS provider's hourly rate is made up of two parts:

1. The state contribution California funds a base wage that applies statewide. This is the state's share of IHSS costs. 2. The county supplement Individual counties can negotiate higher wages through their Public Authority labor agreements with SEIU 2015. The county must fund 35% of the supplemental amount; the state and federal government fund the rest.

The problem: wealthier counties with bigger tax bases can afford to supplement wages. Poorer, rural counties cannot. This creates a wage gap that falls hardest on providers in low-income communities.

The Structural Inequity

IHSS workers in high-poverty rural counties — where workers themselves often have the lowest incomes — end up earning the least. Meanwhile, providers in wealthy Bay Area counties earn 10–15% more.

This disparity is a documented racial equity issue. IHSS workers in rural inland counties are disproportionately Latino and Indigenous. Bay Area counties with higher supplements have a more mixed workforce.

Which Counties Pay the Most?

Bay Area counties consistently top the list:

• Santa Cruz: $21.00/hour
• San Francisco: $20.50+/hour
• Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo: $20.00+/hour

Which Counties Pay the Least?

Most rural and smaller counties pay the state minimum of $18.65/hour:

• Alpine, Amador, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Trinity, and others

What Can Workers Do?

The best tool for raising county wages is collective bargaining through SEIU 2015. Workers who participate in their union's bargaining campaigns, attend public authority meetings, and vote in union elections have the most direct influence on their county's wage rate.

Contact SEIU 2015 at 1-866-756-1021 or seiu2015.org to get involved.