Wage and hour cases in Santa Maria at a glance
Employers in Santa Maria account for 193 concluded Wage and Hour Division investigations since 2004, 152 of which found violations (79%). Employers agreed to pay $6,063,835 in back wages to 6,218 workers, and $1,543,052 in civil money penalties was assessed. In the last 12 months 6 cases closed with $529,513 in back wages. The industries with the most back wages here are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting ($4,505,256), Health Care and Social Assistance ($1,016,856), Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services ($414,411).
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193 cases, page 1 of 2.
| Employer | Case closed | Findings | Back wages | Workers paid | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacifica Personnel, Inc. | Sep 6, 2026 | 35 violations | $5,568 | 34 | $16,190 |
| L&J Innovations, LLC | Jun 10, 2026 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $2,599 |
| LifeTouch The Elegant Living Residential Home Care LifeTouch The Elegant Living Residential Home Care (RCFE), Inc II | Mar 24, 2026 | 3 violations repeat | $32,215 | 1 | $1,408 |
| Mydor's Open Guest Home, Inc. | Mar 11, 2026 | 15 violations repeat | $393,917 | 14 | $9,859 |
| Villa Care Home I | Jan 15, 2026 | 4 violations repeat | $96,016 | 3 | $2,113 |
| Rancho 135 Ponciano Martinez | Nov 30, 2025 | 5 violations | $1,797 | 2 | $10,830 |
| Boavista Farms Boavista Harvest, Inc. | Jul 17, 2025 | 42 violations | $4,170 | 37 | $31,840 |
| Mendoza Bros. Harvesting | Jul 17, 2025 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $4,549 |
| Santillan Farms | Jul 15, 2025 | 3 violations | 0 | 0 | $11,263 |
| Alco Harvesting | Feb 26, 2025 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $2,599 |
| Smith Packing | Jan 5, 2025 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | $3,899 |
| Rancho 135 dba Rancho 135 | Dec 31, 2024 | 3 violations | 0 | 0 | $5,198 |
| Hill Top Produce | Dec 6, 2024 | 67 violations | $14,319 | 32 | $10,766 |
| Alco Harvesting | Dec 1, 2024 | 118 violations | $13,019 | 67 | $10,397 |
| Cardenas Bros Cardenas Bros Farming Company, Inc. | Sep 29, 2024 | 238 violations | $52,292 | 116 | $21,443 |
| Rancho Bonita Farms, Inc | Aug 29, 2024 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $7,389 |
| Royal Oak Ag Services, Inc. | Jun 5, 2024 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | $3,552 |
| Sunlife Farm, Inc | May 21, 2024 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $41,853 |
| Smith Packing | Apr 15, 2024 | 125 violations | $59,223 | 116 | $35,033 |
| New Century Farms | Dec 20, 2023 | 323 violations | $738,319 | 162 | 0 |
| Sierra Del Tigre Sierra Del Tigre Farms, Inc. | Dec 15, 2023 | 317 violations | $763,978 | 161 | 0 |
| Savino Farms Inc. | Nov 15, 2023 | 155 violations | $221,863 | 80 | 0 |
| Rancho Guadalupe | Oct 30, 2023 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $3,325 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Sep 9, 2023 | 5 violations | 0 | 0 | $12,244 |
| Royal Oaks Ag Royal Oak Ag Services, Inc. | Jul 30, 2023 | 450 violations | $20,886 | 446 | $5,317 |
| La Fuente Farming, Inc. | Jul 14, 2023 | 3 violations | 0 | 0 | $8,589 |
| Mendoza Brothers | Jun 27, 2023 | 26 violations | $340 | 20 | $8,301 |
| Agrofarms and Grains, LLC | Jun 19, 2023 | 282 violations | $429,926 | 92 | $12,666 |
| Mendoza Bros. Harvesting | Apr 20, 2023 | 3 violations | 0 | 0 | $5,113 |
| New Hope Harvesting | Mar 31, 2023 | 177 violations | $83,183 | 28 | $25,738 |
| Gold Coast Packing | Mar 18, 2023 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $4,131 |
| Sunlife Farm, Inc | Dec 31, 2022 | 462 violations | $189,101 | 91 | $20,266 |
| Cal-South Harvesting | Dec 16, 2022 | 180 violations | $49,079 | 176 | $6,544 |
| Mendoza Bros Farming Inc | Nov 21, 2022 | 90 violations | $22,109 | 40 | $15,199 |
| New Century Farms | Nov 16, 2022 | 167 violations | $33,800 | 164 | $3,986 |
| Brothers Best Labor | Aug 19, 2022 | 298 violations | $57,236 | 99 | $19,170 |
| Sierra Del Tigre Farms | Aug 17, 2022 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Freshway Farms LLC. | Aug 15, 2022 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | $1,139 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Aug 14, 2022 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $13,555 |
| The Pantry on Park | Jul 12, 2022 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Jun 30, 2022 | 245 violations | $184,693 | 240 | $431,495 |
| Adam Bros. Farming, Inc. | Nov 9, 2021 | 96 violations | $94,146 | 30 | $7,863 |
| Boavista Farms | Nov 9, 2021 | 87 violations | $43,297 | 28 | $5,361 |
| ProFresco, Inc. | Nov 8, 2021 | 947 violations | $50,790 | 471 | $7,505 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Oct 10, 2021 | 548 violations | $373,606 | 409 | $360,359 |
| All About Ag | Sep 27, 2021 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mixtepec Farming | Sep 23, 2021 | 6 violations | 0 | 0 | $7,505 |
| Cal-South Harvesting | Aug 2, 2021 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $3,574 |
| Bauer Residential | Jul 31, 2021 | 43 violations repeat | $272,828 | 42 | $24,402 |
| Mac Ag | Jul 15, 2021 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | $5,361 |
| Val-Coast | Jan 31, 2021 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| De La Torre Harvesting, Inc. | Jan 25, 2021 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | $1,547 |
| Innovative Produce | Jan 25, 2021 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | $1,290 |
| PGM Packing | Dec 31, 2020 | 12 violations | $459 | 9 | $1,251 |
| PGM Packing | Dec 31, 2020 | 13 violations | $458 | 10 | $1,251 |
| PGM Packing | Dec 31, 2020 | 12 violations | $450 | 8 | $1,251 |
| PGM Packing | Dec 31, 2020 | 11 violations | $433 | 8 | $1,251 |
| PGM Packing | Dec 16, 2020 | 50 violations | $9,980 | 48 | $1,251 |
| Alco Harvesting | Dec 1, 2020 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Barbara Avo Picking | Nov 25, 2020 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bapa Lp. Bapa Lp and Lotus Management | Oct 23, 2020 | 1 violation | $1,376 | 1 | 0 |
| Valle El Paraiso Berry Farms | Sep 14, 2020 | 106 violations | $35,430 | 105 | $1,060 |
| 5 Star Berries | Aug 28, 2020 | 1 violation | $1,080 | 1 | 0 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Aug 9, 2020 | 471 violations | $71,844 | 469 | $1,608 |
| New Vision Harvesting, Inc. | Jul 23, 2020 | 15 violations | $5,184 | 14 | 0 |
| Royal Oak Ag Service | Jul 3, 2020 | 158 violations | $120,996 | 157 | 0 |
| Silvestre Farms | Feb 29, 2020 | 60 violations | $18,969 | 20 | $10,000 |
| Velarde Farms | Feb 28, 2020 | 4 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Royal Oak Ag Services, Inc. | Feb 14, 2020 | 237 violations | $11,965 | 114 | $2,649 |
| Brothers Best Labor | Sep 8, 2019 | 131 violations | $24,790 | 62 | $14,570 |
| Mendoza Brothers Harvesting | Aug 19, 2019 | 3 violations | $490 | 1 | $11,274 |
| Premier Drywall Pre Con Industries, Inc. | Aug 19, 2019 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Aug 10, 2019 | 2 violations | $698 | 1 | $1,236 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Aug 10, 2019 | 4 violations | $684 | 1 | $4,062 |
| JMC Farming | Jul 10, 2019 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $2,826 |
| Alco Harvesting | Jul 8, 2019 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Hope Harvesting | Jun 9, 2019 | 3 violations | 0 | 0 | $4,544 |
| La Fuente Farming, Inc. | Jun 4, 2019 | 118 violations | $14,785 | 72 | $6,073 |
| Rancho Del Mar | Jun 3, 2019 | 447 violations | $97,383 | 443 | $9,369 |
| Pacifica Personnel, Inc. | Jun 3, 2019 | 114 violations | $19,093 | 51 | $12,203 |
| La Palma Farms | Sep 16, 2018 | 52 violations | $7,219 | 49 | $2,369 |
| Big F Company, Inc. | Sep 15, 2018 | 736 violations | $157,018 | 174 | $6,636 |
| Higuera Farms, Inc. | Sep 9, 2018 | 359 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rio Vista Corporation | Sep 5, 2018 | 87 violations | $67,188 | 20 | $5,964 |
| Savino Farms Inc. | Sep 4, 2018 | 571 violations | $166,556 | 173 | $5,584 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Jul 27, 2018 | 123 violations | $12,513 | 117 | $2,649 |
| JV Harvesting | Jun 24, 2018 | 4 violations | 0 | 0 | $10,036 |
| YB Farming | Dec 6, 2017 | 4 violations | 0 | 0 | $22,035 |
| Mesa View Produce | Nov 1, 2017 | 82 violations | $30,836 | 74 | $9,890 |
| Cardenas Bros Farming Co Cardenas Bros Farming Co., Inc. | Nov 1, 2017 | 98 violations | $29,174 | 91 | $10,063 |
| City of Santa Maria - Fire Department | Nov 1, 2017 | 3 violations | $222 | 1 | 0 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | Oct 21, 2017 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JFW Vineyards Jackson Family Wines, Inc. | Aug 31, 2017 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bien Nacido & Solomon Hills Vineyard | Aug 30, 2017 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $18,194 |
| San Lucas AG Service | Aug 30, 2017 | 7 violations | 0 | 0 | $25,376 |
| Buona Terra Farming Company, Inc. | Aug 29, 2017 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $2,633 |
| Rancho Encantado | Aug 29, 2017 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hall Management Corp. | Aug 28, 2017 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sheila Whistler | Jul 30, 2017 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Waste Management Valley Garbage and Rubbish Company, Inc. | Jun 7, 2017 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Largest back-wage records in Santa Maria
| Employer | Cases | Back wages | Workers paid | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Century Farms | 2 | $772,119 | 326 | Dec 20, 2023 |
| Sierra Del Tigre | 1 | $763,978 | 161 | Dec 15, 2023 |
| Rancho Nuevo Harvesting | 9 | $644,038 | 1,237 | Sep 9, 2023 |
| Agrofarms and Grains, LLC | 1 | $429,926 | 92 | Jun 19, 2023 |
| Mydor's Open Guest Home, Inc. | 1 | $393,917 | 14 | Mar 11, 2026 |
| Savino Farms Inc. | 2 | $388,419 | 253 | Nov 15, 2023 |
| Pacific West Labor Services | 1 | $354,794 | 125 | Jan 24, 2010 |
| Bauer Residential | 1 | $272,828 | 42 | Jul 31, 2021 |
| VTC Enterprises | 1 | $221,880 | 142 | Aug 31, 2015 |
| Sunlife Farm, Inc | 2 | $189,101 | 91 | May 21, 2024 |
| Big F Company, Inc. | 2 | $157,698 | 242 | Sep 15, 2018 |
| Royal Oak Ag Service | 1 | $120,996 | 157 | Jul 3, 2020 |
| Rancho Del Mar | 2 | $97,643 | 445 | Jun 3, 2019 |
| Villa Care Home I | 1 | $96,016 | 3 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Adam Bros. Farming, Inc. | 1 | $94,146 | 30 | Nov 9, 2021 |
| New Hope Harvesting | 2 | $83,183 | 28 | Mar 31, 2023 |
| Brothers Best Labor | 2 | $82,026 | 161 | Aug 19, 2022 |
| Rio Vista Corporation | 1 | $67,188 | 20 | Sep 5, 2018 |
| Smith Packing | 3 | $59,223 | 116 | Jan 5, 2025 |
| Cardenas Bros | 1 | $52,292 | 116 | Sep 29, 2024 |
By year closed
| Year | Cases | With violations | Back wages | Workers paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | $527,716 | 52 |
| 2025 | 6 | 6 | $5,967 | 39 |
| 2024 | 8 | 8 | $138,853 | 331 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 | $2,258,495 | 989 |
| 2022 | 10 | 9 | $536,018 | 810 |
| 2021 | 12 | 10 | $834,667 | 980 |
| 2020 | 16 | 14 | $278,624 | 964 |
| 2019 | 11 | 10 | $157,923 | 631 |
| 2018 | 7 | 7 | $410,494 | 533 |
| 2017 | 13 | 8 | $60,232 | 166 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | $680 | 68 |
| 2015 | 11 | 7 | $256,737 | 205 |
| 2014 | 7 | 4 | $34,392 | 18 |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 | $6,604 | 9 |
| 2012 | 7 | 4 | $47,586 | 86 |
| 2011 | 3 | 1 | $5,555 | 4 |
| 2010 | 18 | 13 | $357,427 | 134 |
| 2009 | 6 | 5 | $1,892 | 6 |
| 2008 | 13 | 11 | $48,822 | 103 |
| 2007 | 8 | 5 | $270 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4 | 2 | $79,007 | 61 |
| 2005 | 4 | 4 | $12,461 | 14 |
| 2004 | 5 | 3 | $3,413 | 9 |
Your rights in Santa Maria
The federal file stops at $7.25 and weekly overtime. California workers in Santa Maria are owed the state minimum wage of $16.90 in 2026 or the higher local rate, overtime after 8 hours in a day, an hour of pay for each missed meal or rest period, and up to 30 days of wages when final pay is late. Claims go to the Labor Commissioner or to Superior Court, three years back, four under the Unfair Competition Law. Our Santa Maria employment law page covers the local offices and deadlines. Free, confidential review: (800) 371-3088.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division enforcement database, California cases through Sep 6, 2026. County is assigned from the city on the case. Back to the wage theft tracker.
About this data: Cases come from the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division enforcement database (WHD compliance actions concluded since fiscal year 2005, California employers only), published by the Department of Labor and reloaded here every month. "Back wages" are amounts the employer agreed to pay at the close of the investigation; "penalties" are civil money penalties assessed. An investigation that found no violation is listed as such. The database does not include California Labor Commissioner cases or private lawsuits. This page is general information, not legal advice about your situation.