SingleMothers.us
Flexible jobs for single mothers in California
What California’s pay rules, leave programs and child care help mean for a single parent looking for flexible work in 2026.
Pay in California
California’s minimum wage is $16.90 an hour for all employers from January 1, 2026, and the governor’s office has announced $17.40 from January 1, 2027. Some cities set higher rates: at least $18.42 in the City of Los Angeles and $19.61 in San Francisco from July 1, 2026. The Department of Industrial Relations lists the current rules.
Employers with 15 or more employees must include a pay scale in every job posting, under Labor Code section 432.3. Since January 1, 2026 that means a good-faith estimate of the salary or hourly range they expect to pay, and it applies to any role that could be filled in California, including remote work.
Leave for parents
Paid Family Leave
California began paying Paid Family Leave on July 1, 2004, the first state to do so. It is part of State Disability Insurance, run by the Employment Development Department, and pays up to 8 weeks in a 12-month period, currently between $50 and $1,765 a week.
Paid sick leave
Under the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act you earn at least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and you can use it to care for your child. Employers may limit use to 40 hours or 5 days a year. In the City of Los Angeles the limit is 48 hours.
Help with child care
The California Department of Social Services oversees most state-supported child care. Families on CalWORKs arrange child care through their county welfare department, and other low-income families can get vouchers through the county’s Alternative Payment Program agency. Start with the CDSS parent information page.
From the 2025 to 2026 school year, every child who turns 4 by September 1 can attend free transitional kindergarten at a public school. Each district sets its own hours.
Tax credits
The refundable California Earned Income Tax Credit paid up to $3,756 for tax year 2025 to working families earning up to $32,900. Families who qualify and have a child under 6 can also claim the Young Child Tax Credit, worth up to $1,189 per return for tax year 2025.
Scheduling laws in California cities
Several California cities require some employers to post schedules in advance:
| Where | Who it covers | Notice of schedules |
|---|---|---|
| City of Los Angeles | Retail employers with 300 or more employees worldwide | 14 days, since April 1, 2023 |
| Unincorporated Los Angeles County | Retail employers with 300 or more employees worldwide | 14 days, since July 1, 2025 |
| San Francisco | Chain retail stores and their janitorial and security contractors | Two weeks, since 2015 |
| Berkeley | Larger employers in building services, healthcare, hotels, manufacturing, retail, warehouses and restaurants | 14 days, since January 12, 2024 |
Getting into work
America’s Job Center of California offices, run through the Employment Development Department, help job seekers at no cost. Insurance agents need a license from the California Department of Insurance, and pharmacy technicians a license from the State Board of Pharmacy.
Questions about working in California
How much is the minimum wage in California in 2026?
$16.90 an hour for all employers from January 1, 2026. Some cities set more, including $18.42 in the City of Los Angeles and $19.61 in San Francisco from July 1, 2026. The state rate rises to $17.40 on January 1, 2027.
Can I use California sick leave when my child is ill?
Yes. Paid sick leave covers caring for a family member, including your child. You earn at least 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, and your employer can cap use at 40 hours or 5 days a year.
Do California job ads have to show pay?
Yes, for employers with 15 or more employees. Since January 1, 2026 the posting must give a good-faith estimate of the salary or hourly range the employer expects to pay.
Send us the hours you can keep
Send us your hours and your California ZIP code. We look for flexible roles near you, or remote roles open to California residents.