California wage and hour cases by year closed
| Year | Cases | With violations | Back wages | Workers paid | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 102 | 102 | $3,403,298 | 1,163 | $927,204 |
| 2025 | 369 | 289 | $9,583,189 | 3,900 | $871,691 |
| 2024 | 642 | 446 | $14,925,885 | 5,020 | $2,123,896 |
| 2023 | 770 | 608 | $22,443,373 | 13,759 | $3,554,557 |
| 2022 | 688 | 542 | $21,335,531 | 15,339 | $3,381,955 |
| 2021 | 733 | 540 | $16,709,369 | 8,559 | $2,719,158 |
| 2020 | 1,138 | 864 | $20,448,172 | 9,838 | $2,282,749 |
| 2019 | 1,107 | 866 | $14,104,594 | 9,093 | $1,275,374 |
| 2018 | 1,103 | 872 | $27,098,857 | 14,630 | $1,782,555 |
| 2017 | 1,476 | 1,096 | $21,381,031 | 13,001 | $2,583,207 |
| 2016 | 1,223 | 955 | $22,094,399 | 13,637 | $1,218,484 |
| 2015 | 1,717 | 1,287 | $28,601,366 | 20,625 | $1,555,197 |
| 2014 | 1,831 | 1,366 | $27,779,811 | 19,298 | $1,142,070 |
| 2013 | 2,167 | 1,633 | $36,566,607 | 19,219 | $1,256,735 |
| 2012 | 2,656 | 1,850 | $23,269,735 | 18,798 | $2,194,805 |
| 2011 | 1,866 | 1,391 | $22,885,013 | 13,461 | $1,499,679 |
| 2010 | 1,524 | 1,063 | $19,734,969 | 18,566 | $1,278,627 |
| 2009 | 1,446 | 1,021 | $18,043,667 | 16,242 | $838,442 |
| 2008 | 1,551 | 1,069 | $20,133,571 | 20,826 | $1,290,744 |
| 2007 | 1,569 | 1,114 | $18,231,225 | 22,428 | $1,725,094 |
| 2006 | 1,509 | 1,111 | $18,295,178 | 17,354 | $1,907,481 |
| 2005 | 1,843 | 1,215 | $19,405,473 | 18,929 | $1,078,341 |
| 2004 | 1,131 | 841 | $14,647,829 | 14,463 | $461,427 |
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.