Hiring Waitress in San Diego: Key Wage Laws and Hiring Checklist

Hiring Waitress in San Diego: Key Takeaways

San Diego’s minimum wage for waitresses is $17.25 per hour as of January 1, 2025, with no tip credit allowed.
Employers must provide earned sick leave accruing at least 1 hour per 30 hours worked, with a cap of 80 hours or alternatively grant 40 hours upfront per benefit year.
Hiring a waitress entails following a detailed checklist including job posting, onboarding paperwork, training, payroll setup, and posting required notices.

Hiring a waitress in San Diego means understanding local wage laws and ensuring compliance at every step. This guide covers wage requirements and a hiring checklist to help employers create a fair workplace.

From minimum wage rules to earned sick leave, here’s what San Diego employers should know before hiring waitstaff.

For step-by-step server hiring tips, follow our proven process to attract qualified waitstaff.

San Diego Wage Laws for Waitresses

Effective January 1, 2025, San Diego sets the minimum wage for all employees, including waitresses, at $17.25 per hour.

Unlike some states that allow tip credits, California law mandates that employers pay the full minimum wage to tipped employees. This means employers cannot deduct tips from wages to meet the minimum wage threshold.

Tips remain the employee’s property and are considered additional income on top of the guaranteed minimum wage. This ensures waitresses earn a stable base pay regardless of tip fluctuations.

Earned Sick Leave Requirements in San Diego

San Diego’s Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance requires employers to offer earned sick leave benefits.

Employees accrue at least one hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers may cap the total accrual at 80 hours, but unused sick leave must carry over to the next benefit year.

As an alternative, employers can provide no less than 40 hours of earned sick leave at the start of each benefit year instead of tracking accrual.

This law applies uniformly to all employers and employees working within San Diego city limits.

To support wellness policies, implement an employee illness policy tailored to your restaurant.

Hiring Checklist for Employing a Waitress in San Diego

To comply with San Diego’s labor laws, employers should follow a thorough hiring process. Here’s a step-by-step checklist:

Start with a clear waitress job description to set expectations and responsibilities.

1. Job Posting and Application

Ensure the job posting clearly states the offered wage, which must be at least $17.25 per hour.

Collect comprehensive application details, including personal information, work history, and references, to evaluate candidate suitability.

2. Interview and Job Offer

Conduct interviews to assess experience, skills, and cultural fit. Use waitress interview questions to guide evaluation.

Provide a formal written job offer specifying compensation, work schedule, and job responsibilities to set clear expectations.

3. Onboarding Requirements

Complete all required documentation such as:

Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) to confirm the employee’s authorization to work in the U.S.
Federal (W-4) and California state (DE 4) tax withholding forms.
Providing the employee handbook that outlines policies on wages, earned sick leave, and workplace conduct.

4. Training and Payroll Setup

Offer training covering job duties, safety guidelines, and customer service standards to prepare the waitress for their role.

Set up payroll to ensure proper wage payments comply with the $17.25 minimum wage, including accurate tax withholdings.

Customize a server training manual to standardize onboarding.

Benchmark pay with current waitress salary data for San Diego.

5. Posting Required Notices

Display San Diego’s minimum wage and earned sick leave posters conspicuously in the workplace as mandated by law.

6. Record Keeping

Maintain detailed employee records of hours worked, wages paid, and sick leave accrued and used to facilitate audits and compliance reviews.

Maintaining Compliance with San Diego Wage Laws

Consistency in adhering to San Diego’s labor laws protects both employers and employees.

Regularly review wage rates, sick leave accruals, and posting requirements to stay aligned with legal updates.

Invest in reliable payroll systems and staff training to minimize compliance risks and promote a positive workplace culture.

Review job posting compliance to ensure ads meet local and state rules.

Conclusion: Hiring Waitress in San Diego

Employers in San Diego must meet a $17.25 minimum wage without tip credits and comply with earned sick leave mandates when hiring waitresses.

Following a structured hiring checklist—from job posting to onboarding and record-keeping—aids lawful employment and fosters a fair working environment.

Proactive compliance safeguards your business and supports employee wellbeing.

If you’re hiring beyond waitstaff, explore the comprehensive server job description for role benchmarks.

Legal Resources for Hiring Waitress in San Diego

01. What is the minimum wage for waitresses in San Diego?

As of January 1, 2025, the minimum wage for waitresses in San Diego is $17.25 per hour, with no tip credit allowed.

02. Are tip credits allowed for waitresses in San Diego?

No. California law requires employers to pay the full minimum wage to tipped employees, so tip credits are not permitted in San Diego.

03. How does earned sick leave work in San Diego?

Employees accrue at least one hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers may cap accrual at 80 hours or provide 40 hours upfront per benefit year.

04. What documents are required during onboarding?

Required forms include the Form I-9, federal W-4, California DE 4 tax forms, and the employee handbook outlining workplace policies.

05. What should employers post in the workplace?

Employers must display San Diego’s minimum wage and earned sick leave posters conspicuously as mandated by law.