Employment

California Equal Pay Lawyer

Are you earning less than a coworker of another sex, race, or ethnicity for substantially similar work? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help California employees recover back pay and enforce their rights under the California Equal Pay Act. The law changed on January 1, 2026, and it changed in workers’ favor: you now have three years to file, and you can recover up to six years of underpaid wages. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review — there are no fees unless you get paid.

California Equal Pay Lawyer
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Understanding Your Employment Case

Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.

The California Equal Pay Act (Labor Code § 1197.5) requires employers to pay employees equally for substantially similar work, regardless of sex, race, or ethnicity. The comparison looks at the actual skill, effort, and responsibility a job requires under similar working conditions — not the title on the org chart, and not whether you work at the same location. It covers every California employer, public and private, of any size. If your employer cannot justify a pay gap through one of four narrow lawful factors, you can recover the difference in wages, an equal amount in liquidated damages, interest, and attorney's fees.

Senate Bill 642 made the most significant changes to the Equal Pay Act in a decade. The filing deadline is now three years for all violations, you can recover wages for the entire period a violation existed up to six years, each underpaid paycheck restarts the clock, and the statute now compares your pay to workers of "another sex" — extending protection to nonbinary and transgender employees. The definition of wages was also expanded to expressly include bonuses, stock, and stock options. Our SB 642 guide explains each change and what it means for your case.

Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that has stood up for California workers for years, recovering millions in wage and hour matters — including settlements of $15 million, $12 million, and $9.5 million for employees denied the pay they earned. Our attorneys review your pay records and job duties, identify your strongest comparators, and represent you before the Labor Commissioner or in court. There are no fees unless you get paid.

An equal pay case is built on comparison. We identify coworkers performing substantially similar work, gather pay records, job descriptions, and evidence of actual duties, and then put the burden where the law places it: on your employer, which must prove a lawful factor accounts for the entire wage gap — see the four defenses employers raise and how they fail. California also gives employees tools most states lack — you have the right to ask for the pay scale for your own position, the right to discuss wages with coworkers, and protection from retaliation for doing either.

No. Unlike a federal Title VII discrimination claim, a California Equal Pay Act claim requires no EEOC charge and no right-to-sue letter. You can file a wage claim with the Labor Commissioner or go directly to court — whichever fits your situation better. Our guide to where to file an equal pay claim compares every forum, deadline, and remedy side by side.

Client Reviews


“Wilshire Law Firm was very fast responding to me about my case… they were very nice and helpful and made sure I understood all of the facts. I would recommend [Wilshire Law Firm] for anyone who is looking for the best; they are number one. Thank you Wilshire and staff for making things feel easier.”

Angela B.

Wage & Hour

$6.8M

San Bernardino County wage and hour class action settlement: a class of employees alleged their employer failed to pay wages owed and sought related penalties.

Wage & Hour

$5.5M

Oakland wage and hour class action settlement: senior living facility employees alleged unpaid wages, meal and rest break violations and unreimbursed expenses in class and representative claims.

Wage & Hour

$4.0M

Hawthorne wage and hour class action settlement: a manufacturer's hourly employees alleged missed rest breaks, short or late meal periods and unpaid wages, plus unreimbursed work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$3.9M

Newport Beach wage and hour class action settlement: hourly manufacturing plant employees alleged late and interrupted meal and rest breaks and sought unpaid premium pay.

Wage & Hour

$3.5M

Camarillo wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged meal and rest period violations and sought unpaid wages plus the related premiums.

Wage & Hour

$3.5M

Alameda County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at a security systems company alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, and sought break premiums.

Wage & Hour

$3.3M

Irvine wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees of a products company alleged they were denied compliant meal and rest breaks and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.1M

Torrance wage and hour class action settlement: retail store employees alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, seeking final pay, waiting-time penalties and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

Thousand Oaks wage and hour class action settlement: a manufacturer's employees alleged unpaid pre-shift work and noncompliant meal and rest breaks, seeking break premiums and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

Orange County wage and hour class action settlement: a healthcare employer's hourly workers alleged unpaid overtime and meal and rest break violations and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

San Diego wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged unpaid wages and break violations, pursuing meal and rest period premiums and repayment of work costs.

Wage & Hour

$2.8M

Riverside County wage and hour class action settlement: a restaurant franchise's hourly workers alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations and sought to recover their work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.8M

Brentwood wage and hour class action settlement: an education provider's hourly staff alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Francisco County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly campus employees sought unpaid wages and work expense reimbursement, alleging meal and rest period violations.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Jose wage and hour class action settlement: hourly car dealership employees alleged they were underpaid, denied proper meal and rest periods and not reimbursed for work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Francisco County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly clinic staff alleged off-the-clock work, meal and rest period violations, unpaid premiums and unreimbursed work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Leandro wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged unpaid overtime, unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, and claimed break premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Wage & Hour

$2.4M

Orange County wage and hour class action settlement: restaurant employees alleged a franchise operator failed to provide legally required meal and rest breaks or pay the premiums owed.

Wage & Hour

$2.2M

Los Angeles wage and hour class action settlement: hourly hospital employees alleged their employer failed to provide meal periods required by California law.

Wage & Hour

$2.1M

San Diego County wage and hour class action settlement: franchise restaurant workers alleged unpaid off-the-clock work, late meal and rest breaks without premium pay, and unreimbursed work gear.

Wrongful Termination

$2.0M

Alameda County wrongful termination settlement: an employee who reported a coworker's harassment and helped a colleague file a complaint alleged being fired months later. The employer cited a layoff.

Wage & Hour

$2.0M

Tulare wage and hour class action settlement: food processing employees alleged interrupted rest breaks without premium pay and no reimbursement for personal phones used for work.

Wage & Hour

$2.0M

Watsonville wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at an agricultural company alleged unpaid overtime, interrupted lunches and missing rest breaks during long shifts.

Wage & Hour

$1.6M

Barstow wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at a vehicle-services business alleged unpaid off-the-clock time, meal and rest break violations and unreimbursed uniform costs.

Workplace Retaliation

$1.0M

Los Angeles County workplace retaliation settlement: an employee alleged being fired weeks after reporting harassment and wage violations. The employer said the position was eliminated.

Wage & Hour

$910K

Gardena wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged they were denied meal and rest breaks without premium pay and had to cover supplies and phone costs.

Leave of Absence

$825K

Oakland leave of absence settlement: a worker who had come back from approved medical leave was later fired and alleged retaliation and wrongful termination by the employer.

Workplace Harassment

$750K

Woodland workplace harassment settlement: a worker alleged sexual harassment and discrimination, and that supervisors took no action on repeated complaints before the worker was forced to quit.

Leave of Absence

$750K

Los Angeles leave of absence settlement: an employee let go while on approved medical leave alleged disability discrimination and wrongful termination. The employer cited restructuring.

Workplace Retaliation

$500K

Santa Ana workplace retaliation settlement: an employee alleged being let go after reporting inappropriate conduct by a manager. The company called it a layoff.

Workplace Retaliation

$500K

Fresno workplace retaliation settlement: an employee alleged being fired after an ethics complaint about patient privacy violations. The claims included discrimination and wrongful termination.

Leave of Absence

$500K

Commerce leave of absence settlement: an employee on approved medical leave alleged being fired weeks before a scheduled return, with no prior warnings. The claims included disability discrimination.

Disability Discrimination

$500K

Morgan Hill disability discrimination settlement: an employee alleged being let go during medical treatment after a request for remote work was refused. The employer cited hardship.

Disability Discrimination

$500K

Los Angeles County disability discrimination settlement: an employee alleged being fired for requesting more medical leave while coworkers were already covering the work. The employer cited hardship.

Disability Discrimination

$425K

Anaheim disability discrimination settlement: an employee facing medical treatment alleged being fired in retaliation within two weeks of complaining about a manager, despite no write-ups.

Disability Discrimination

$395K

Riverside disability discrimination settlement: an employee alleged being fired after asking to extend medical leave. The employer said the leave was exhausted.

Wrongful Termination

$340K

Santa Clara County wrongful termination settlement: an employee alleged being fired after complaining to human resources about a manager. The employer raised performance concerns after the complaint.

Workplace Discrimination

$260K

California workplace discrimination settlement: an employee alleged the employer denied reasonable accommodations and then ended the job, bringing discrimination and wrongful termination claims.

Leave of Absence

$250K

Bakersfield leave of absence settlement: an employee on doctor-ordered medical leave alleged being fired during the leave. The termination letter gave no reason.

Wrongful Termination

$225K

Campbell wrongful termination settlement: an employee who sought a medical accommodation alleged being fired in retaliation days after human resources closed a harassment complaint.

Wage & Hour

$220K

Signal Hill wage and hour class action settlement: employees alleged they missed meal and rest breaks without receiving premium pay and were not paid for all time worked.

Wage & Hour

$200K

Hemet wage and hour class action settlement: hourly thrift store employees alleged meal and rest period violations, seeking premium pay, cell phone expense reimbursement and PAGA penalties.

Wage & Hour

$185K

Shasta County wage and hour settlement: an employee brought a representative claim on behalf of healthcare employees, alleging meal and rest period violations, unpaid wages and unreimbursed expenses.

Wrongful Termination

$176K

Newport Beach wrongful termination settlement: a restaurant employee alleged being fired after reporting a coworker's sexual harassment. The employer claimed a layoff but brought that coworker back.

Disability Discrimination

$175K

San Francisco disability discrimination settlement: an employee with disabling medical conditions alleged being denied accommodations and wrongfully terminated from a salaried position while disabled.

Disability Discrimination

$174K

Tulare County disability discrimination settlement: an employee on medical leave alleged being fired while still disabled and awaiting further treatment. The employer cited a single write-up.

Wrongful Termination

$170K

Torrance wrongful termination settlement: a care facility employee alleged being fired the same day the employee reported medication handling concerns and racial mistreatment to corporate.

Leave of Absence

$125K

Downey leave of absence settlement: an employee alleged being fired while on medical leave after a warning that filing for protected leave would lead to termination.

Disability Discrimination

$125K

Sacramento County disability discrimination settlement: an employee on intermittent medical leave alleged being fired because of a medical condition and age. The claims also included retaliation.

Wage & Hour

$116K

San Diego wage and hour settlement: a restaurant employee alleged unpaid overtime from edited time sheets and straight-time pay for extra hours, plus missed meal and rest breaks.

Wage & Hour

$100K

Victorville wage and hour class action settlement: hourly restaurant employees alleged their employer left wages unpaid, violated meal and rest period rules and did not reimburse work expenses.

*Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.

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How Do I Know If I Have an Equal Pay Claim in California?

You may have a claim if three things are true. First, a coworker of another sex, race, or ethnicity is paid more than you. Second, your jobs involve substantially similar work — a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility performed under similar working conditions, regardless of job titles. Third, your employer cannot prove the entire gap is explained by a lawful factor such as a seniority system, a merit system, a production-based system, or a bona fide factor like education or experience (California Labor Code § 1197.5). Prior salary can never justify the gap. Since January 1, 2026, you have three years to file and can recover up to six years of back pay — so a pay gap that has quietly run for years may be worth far more than you expect.

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Record-breaking results

Winners of #1 Settlements in California

Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.

17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*

TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements

1 of 17

  • #1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Negligent Security Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Negligent Security Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Ladder Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Ladder Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Wrongful Termination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Wrongful Termination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement

    2022

*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Employment FAQs

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.

It may not be. If the coworker is of another sex, race, or ethnicity and your work is substantially similar, California Labor Code § 1197.5 requires your employer to justify the entire gap with a lawful factor — and "he negotiated harder" or "that was her prior salary" doesn't qualify. A free case review can tell you quickly whether the gap looks lawful or not.

Yes. California compares the actual work — skill, effort, and responsibility under similar conditions — not titles. Two differently titled roles can be substantially similar, and your comparator can even work at a different company location. Learn how comparators work in an equal pay case.

The unpaid wage difference for up to six years, an equal amount on top as liquidated damages, interest, and attorney's fees. A $15,000 annual gap sustained for six years can support a six-figure claim. See our full guide to equal pay damages.

You generally have three years, and each underpaid paycheck can restart the clock — but evidence fades and recovery is capped at six years of back pay, so waiting costs money. Our deadlines guide covers every time limit.

Nothing upfront. We handle equal pay cases on contingency — no fees unless you get paid — and the initial case review is always free, 24/7.

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