By the Unified Savers Editorial Team
Three California counties — Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Kern — finalized new IHSS wage agreements with SEIU 2015 this month, raising hourly rates for a combined 195,000 homecare workers effective August 1, 2026. The increases reflect continued pressure from the union and the ongoing challenge counties face retaining providers in a tight labor market.
Los Angeles County, which has the largest IHSS program in the state with approximately 165,000 providers serving 280,000 recipients, agreed to raise the IHSS hourly wage from $18.20 to $19.25 — an increase of $1.05 per hour. Sacramento County raised its rate from $17.50 to $18.65 per hour, a $1.15 increase. Kern County, which had been at the state minimum of $17.00, negotiated its first county-funded wage increase to $17.75 per hour.
How These Agreements Were Reached
IHSS wages in California are set through a combination of state minimum floors and county-level collective bargaining between SEIU 2015 and county boards of supervisors. The state pays a base contribution per provider hour worked; counties that negotiate above the state base must fund the difference from county general funds, typically with state matching funds up to a capped ceiling.
Los Angeles County completed negotiations in late June after a seven-month bargaining period. The county’s Board of Supervisors ratified the agreement on a 4-1 vote on July 8, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger casting the dissenting vote, citing county budget pressures.
Sacramento County’s agreement was ratified on July 15 after a shorter three-month negotiation. Sacramento’s IHSS program serves approximately 28,000 recipients with roughly 20,000 active providers.
Kern County’s agreement, ratified July 17, is the most significant percentage increase of the three — a 4.4 percent raise from the state floor — and reflects the county’s recognition that it was losing providers to neighboring counties with higher rates.
What the Increases Mean for Providers
The practical effect for a full-time IHSS provider depends on hours worked:
Los Angeles County: A provider working 40 hours per week gains approximately $182/month gross ($1.05 × 40 hours × 4.33 weeks). Annual gain: approximately $2,184 before taxes.
Sacramento County: A provider working 40 hours per week gains approximately $199/month gross ($1.15 × 40 hours × 4.33 weeks). Annual gain: approximately $2,388 before taxes.
Kern County: A provider working 40 hours per week gains approximately $130/month gross ($0.75 × 40 hours × 4.33 weeks). Annual gain: approximately $1,560 before taxes.
Part-time providers — including many family caregivers who work 20-30 hours per week for a spouse or parent — see proportionally smaller dollar gains but the same hourly increase.
Effective Date and Timesheet Impact
All three agreements take effect August 1, 2026. Providers will see the new rate reflected on timesheets submitted for pay periods beginning on or after August 1. The first paycheck at the new rate will typically arrive in mid-to-late August depending on the county’s pay cycle.
Providers do not need to take any action to receive the new rate — the wage increase is applied automatically to all active IHSS provider accounts in the respective counties.
Remaining Wage Gaps
Despite these increases, significant wage gaps persist across California’s 58 counties. As of August 1, approximately 22 counties will still be paying IHSS providers at or within $0.25 of the state minimum of $17.00/hour. Counties in the Central Valley and rural Northern California tend to have the lowest rates, in part because their general fund budgets are smaller and in part because labor market comparisons show lower overall wages in those regions.
SEIU 2015 is prioritizing contract campaigns in Fresno County (currently $17.25/hour), Tulare County ($17.00/hour), and Shasta County ($17.10/hour) for fall 2026 bargaining. Providers in those counties can contact SEIU 2015’s local offices about participating in the bargaining process.
Counties with IHSS wage questions can direct inquiries to their county IHSS administrative office. Statewide IHSS wage information is maintained by CDSS at cdss.ca.gov.
Related Wage Resources
Providers can verify their new county wage rate and calculate overtime using the IHSS Wage Tracker for All 58 California Counties and the IHSS Overtime Pay Calculator.
For context on statewide IHSS wage trends, see the IHSS July 2026 Statewide Wage Update and the Los Angeles County IHSS Wage Update for July 2026.