Typically, in California, if your employer wants you to provide and maintain your own work tools, they must pay you at least double the minimum wage. This means that in 2025, with California's minimum wage at $16.50 per hour, your employer must pay you at least $33.00 per hour before they can require you to supply your own tools.

Understanding the Tool Wage Requirement

California's Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Orders establish that employers must provide and maintain all tools and equipment required for work unless they pay their employees at least twice the minimum wage. The rule is straightforward: either the employer provides the tools, or they pay you enough to make you responsible for them.

What Tools Are Covered?

The requirement covers any tools or equipment that are:

• Required by the employer
• Necessary for performing the job

This protection extends across many industries, including professional, technical, and mechanical occupations, public housekeeping jobs, and household occupations. 

Real-World Impact

Consider a mechanic earning $25 per hour who's required to purchase thousands of dollars worth of tools. Under California law, this requirement would be illegal unless the mechanic's hourly rate is at least double the minimum wage. For 2025, that means the mechanic would need to earn at least $33.00 per hour before being required to provide their own tools.

Protection Across Industries

While some might think this only applies to traditional trades, the protection extends to various occupations. For example it could apply to

• Restaurant workers required to purchase their own knives
• Cleaners expected to supply their own cleaning equipment
• Hairdressers or Barbers who are require to provide their own scissors, combs, clippers, etc. 

What Employers Must Do

Employers have two options to comply with the law:

1. Provide and maintain all necessary tools and equipment themselves, or
2. Pay at least double the minimum wage if they want employees to provide their own tools

For employers choosing option 1, they must:

• Supply all necessary tools and equipment
• Maintain these tools in good working condition
• Replace them when needed
• Cover all associated costs

A Note About Security Deposits

The law does allow employers to require a reasonable security deposit for employer-provided tools. However, this deposit must be returned when the tools are returned in good condition, accounting for normal wear and tear.

Protecting Your Rights

If you're being required to provide your own tools while earning less than twice the minimum wage, consider these steps:

1. Document all tool-related expenses
2. Keep receipts for purchases and maintenance
3. Record any communications about tool requirements
4. Calculate your actual hourly rate
5. Consult with an employment attorney to understand your rights

Why This Matters

The tool wage requirement serves an important purpose: preventing employers from shifting their business costs onto workers. When employers require employees to provide their own tools, they're essentially asking workers to subsidize the business's operations. 

Looking Forward

With California's minimum wage increased to $16.50 in 2025, the threshold for requiring employees to provide their own tools is now $33.00 per hour. If you believe your employer has violated the tool wage requirement, we encourage you to reach out to an employment attorney for a consultation.