Earn a crust | California fast food workers become highest paid in the U.S. after minimum wage hike to $20 per hour

Half a million fast food workers in California are now making at least $20 per hour after a minimum wage hike came into effect on Monday.

Restaurant chains with over 60 nationwide locations including the likes of KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks must now increase the minimum wage given to employees by 25%, up from the previous rate of $16 per hour.

This makes California fast food workers the highest paid in the U.S., where the cost of living is an estimated 38% higher than the national average.

The bump is the result of a long fight by fast food workers, who are among the lowest paid across the U.S. economy.