Minimum Wage by State 2026
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, but 30 states and DC set a higher minimum for 2026. Here is every state's current rate, when it took effect and what it pays for a full-time year.
| State | Hourly | Full-time yearly | In effect since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $18.40 | $38,272 | July 1, 2026 |
| Washington | $17.13 | $35,630 | January 1, 2026 |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $35,235 | January 1, 2026 |
| California | $16.90 | $35,152 | January 1, 2026 |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | $33,280 | January 1, 2026 |
| New York | $16.00 | $33,280 | January 1, 2026 |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | $33,280 | January 1, 2026 |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $33,114 | January 1, 2026 |
| Oregon | $15.55 | $32,344 | July 1, 2026 |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $31,533 | January 1, 2026 |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $31,512 | January 1, 2026 |
| Maine | $15.10 | $31,408 | January 1, 2026 |
| Delaware | $15.00 | $31,200 | January 1, 2025 |
| Florida | $15.00 | $31,200 | September 30, 2026 |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $31,200 | January 1, 2025 |
| Maryland | $15.00 | $31,200 | January 1, 2024 |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | $31,200 | January 1, 2023 |
| Missouri | $15.00 | $31,200 | January 1, 2026 |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $31,200 | January 1, 2026 |
| Vermont | $14.42 | $29,994 | January 1, 2026 |
| Alaska | $14.00 | $29,120 | July 1, 2026 |
| Michigan | $13.29 | $27,643 | February 21, 2026 |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $26,562 | January 1, 2026 |
| Nevada | $12.00 | $24,960 | July 1, 2024 |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $24,960 | January 1, 2023 |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $24,648 | January 1, 2026 |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | $23,733 | January 1, 2026 |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | $22,880 | January 1, 2021 |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $22,880 | January 1, 2026 |
| Montana | $10.85 | $22,568 | January 1, 2026 |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $18,200 | January 1, 2016 |
| Alabama | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Georgia | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $15,080 | January 1, 2010 |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Louisiana | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Mississippi | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Texas | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Utah | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
| Wyoming | $7.25 | $15,080 | 2009 (federal) |
Common questions
What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026. It has not changed since July 24, 2009. When a state's minimum is higher, employers must pay the higher state rate.
Which state has the highest minimum wage in 2026?
Washington, D.C. ($18.40), Washington ($17.13), Connecticut ($16.94) have the highest statewide minimums. Some cities, such as Seattle and Denver, set even higher local rates.
How many states use the federal minimum wage?
20 states pay the federal $7.25 minimum in 2026: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.