Minimum wage increase in 2021, another hurdle for local businesses during pandemic The minimum wage for Californians will increase from $12 to $13 an hour for businesses with less than 26 employees. Some businesses have already been hit by the pandemic, and a wage increase makes it more difficult. Posted: Jan 1, 2021 3:00 AM Posted By: Esteban Reynoso CHICO, Calif. - With the new year comes new laws and another minimum wage increase. But it means money gets just that much tighter for businesses, especially when some have half of their business shutdown because of the pandemic. "They totally deserve it, and it's a good thing, but right now it's a hard thing," said Charlie Barrett, next to his wife and co-owner of Secret Trail Brewery in Chico. "And we're gonna make it work."