Most states throughout the United States (including Washington D.C.), have created - and continue to create - laws to update minimum wage requirements. These state minimum wage laws go above and beyond the federal minimum wage required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Federal minimum wage and FLSA require that the vast majority of employees regardless of state (with few exceptions), make a minimum of wage $7.25 per hour. If a state has no minimum wage requirement or law, or the minimum wage required by the state is lower than the federal minimum wage, then the federal minimum wage typically always applies for that state. Otherwise, the higher state minimum wage requirement applies.
Each time the minimum wage requirements change, employers are required to raise standard pay rates for employees to the new minimum wage and begin compensating employees by the effective date of change. This pay increase should be reflected in the employee's pay stub on the next scheduled pay date.
Employers must also display new labor law posters in the workplace as a notice to employees when minimum wage changes, other types of legislation is updated, or new laws are passed.
Below is a table outlining state-by-state minimum wages and wage requirements to make compliance with these labor laws simpler for employers.
| STATE | MINIMUM WAGE | TIPPED WAGES | NOTES & STIPULATIONS |
| Alabama | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Alaska |
|
|
Employers using a voluntary flexible work hour plan approved by the Alaska Department of Labor, who schedule employees for a 10-hour day, 40-hour workweek may be eligible for premium pay after 10 hours a day instead of after 8 hours. The premium overtime pay requirement on either a daily or weekly basis is not applicable to employers with fewer than 4 employees |
| Arizona |
|
$12.15 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
Effective January 1st, 2026, combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $12.15 with maximum tip credit of $3.00. |
| Arkansas |
$7.25 $11.00 |
$2.63 | Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $11.00 with maximum tip credit of $8.37. |
| California |
|
|
The State minimum wage now applies to all employers (prior to January 1, 2023, there was a minimum wage for employers with 25 or less employees and 26 or more employees). However, many California cities and counties have varying minimum wages. |
| Colorado |
|
|
Effective January 1st, 2026, combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $15.16 with maximum tip credit of $3.02. |
| Connecticut |
$16.35 (Until 12/31/2025) |
$6.38 (Effective 6/1/2023) $8.23 (Effective 6/1/2023) |
Restaurant and hotel workers working a 7th day consecutively will have those hours treated as overtime. Minors (Under 18) may be paid 85% of the minimum wage for their first 90 days of employment. |
| Delaware |
|
$2.23 |
Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $15.00 with maximum tip credit of $12.77. |
| District of Columbia (D.C.) |
$17.95 (Until 6/30/2026) $18.40 (Effective 7/1/2026) |
$10.00 (Until 6/30/2026) $10.30 (Effective 7/1/2026) |
If an employee’s hourly tip earnings (averaged weekly) added to the base minimum wage do not equal the District’s full minimum wage, the employer must pay the difference. |
| Florida |
$14.00 (Until 9/29/2026) $15.00 (Effective 9/30/2026) |
$10.98 (Until 9/29/2026) $11.98 (Effective 9/30/2026) |
Florida's minimum wage will increase by $1.00 each year until 2026 when it reaches $15.00 per hour. |
| Georgia |
$7.25 $5.15 |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Hawaii | $14.00 (Until 12/31/2025) $16.00 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
$14.75 |
Any employees that earn a guaranteed monthly compensation of $2,000 or more are exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Effective January 1, 2026, combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $14.75 with maximum tip credit of $1.25. |
| Idaho | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$3.35 | Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $7.25 with maximum tip credit of $3.90. |
| Illinois |
|
|
Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $15.00 with maximum tip credit of $6.00 (40% of the applicable minimum wage). |
| Indiana | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Iowa | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$4.35 | Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $7.25 with maximum tip credit of $2.90 (40% of the applicable minimum wage). |
| Kansas | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Maine | $14.65 (Until 12/31/2025) |
$7.33 (Until 12/31/2025) |
Effective January 1, 2026, combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $15.10 with maximum tip credit of $7.55 (50% of the applicable minimum wage). |
| Maryland |
$12.80 (Until 12/31/2023) $13.25 (Until 12/31/2023) |
$3.63 | N/A |
| Massachusetts |
|
|
N/A |
| Michigan |
$13.73 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
$5.49 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
Minimum wage for tipped employees is 38% of the applicable minimum wage through December 31, 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, minimum wage for tipped employees is 40% of the minimum hourly wage. |
| Minnesota |
$11.13 (Until 12/31/2025) |
$11.13 (Until 12/31/2025) |
Effective January 1, 2026, a training wage rate of $9.31 (up from $9.08 in 2025) may be paid to employees less than 20 years old during the first 90 days of employment. |
| Mississippi | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Missouri |
|
|
Retail or Service businesses earning less than $500,000 a year are not covered by the state minimum. Effective January 1, 2026, combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $15.00 with maximum tip credit of $7.50 (50% of the applicable minimum wage). |
| Montana |
|
$10.55 (Until 12/31/2025) $10.85 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
Businesses that are not covered by the FLSA with gross annual sales of $110,000 or less are subject to a minimum wage of $4.00 per hour. |
| Nebraska |
|
|
N/A |
| Nevada |
$12.00 (Effective 7/1/2024) |
$12.00 (Effective 7/1/2024) |
Starting July 1, 2024, a uniform minimum wage of $12.00 per hour for all employees is applicable. |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$3.27 |
Tipped wages are 55% of the applicable minimum wage. Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $7.25 with maximum tip credit of $3.98 (45% of the applicable minimum wage). |
| New Jersey |
$15.49 (Until 12/31/2025) $15.23 (Effective 1/1/2026) $15.92 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
$6.05 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
Effective January 1, 2026, combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $15.92 with maximum tip credit of $9.87. |
| New Mexico |
|
|
Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $12.00 with maximum tip credit of $9.00. |
| New York |
$16.50 (Until 12/31/2025) |
Varies | N/A |
| North Carolina | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| North Dakota | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$4.86 | Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $7.25 with maximum tip credit of $2.39 (33% of the applicable minimum wage). |
| Ohio |
|
|
Employers with gross revenue or receipts of $394,000 or less are permitted to pay employees the federal minimum wage. |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) [10 or more full-time same location employees or employer grosses more than 100k per year] |
$2.13 | All other employees are subject to a minimum wage of $2.00, except those covered by FLSA, who are subject to federal minimum wage. |
| Oregon |
$15.05 Standard $16.30 (Portland) $14.05 (Non-Urban Counties) $15.55 Standard $16.80 (Portland) $14.55 (Non-Urban Counties) |
Same |
N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.83 | Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $7.25 with maximum tip credit of $4.42. |
| Rhode Island |
|
$3.89 |
Effective January 1, 2026, combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $16.00 with maximum tip credit of $12.11. |
| South Carolina | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $11.50 (Until 12/31/2025) |
|
Effective January 1, 2026, combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $11.85 with maximum tip credit of $5.925 (50% of the applicable minimum wage). |
| Tennessee | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Texas | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | With specified restrictions, employers may count tips and the value of meals and lodging toward the minimum wage |
| Utah | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Vermont |
|
$7.01 (Until 12/31/2025) $7.21 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
Employers with 2 or more employees qualify for overtime, except for some industry-specific exemptions. |
| Virginia |
$12.77 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Washington |
|
$16.66 (Until 12/31/2025) $17.13 (Effective 1/1/2026) |
N/A |
| West Virginia |
$7.25 $8.75 |
$2.62 | Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $8.75 with maximum tip credit of $6.13 (70% of the applicable minimum wage). |
| Wisconsin |
$7.25 |
$2.33 |
Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $7.25 with maximum tip credit of $4.92. |
| Wyoming | $7.25 (Federal Minimum) $5.15 (If not covered by FLSA) |
$2.13 | N/A |
| Guam | $9.25 | $9.25 | Tip credits may not be used to meet the minimum wage. |
| Puerto Rico | $10.50 | $2.13 | |
| Virgin Islands | $10.50 (Until 4/23/2026) $12.00 (Effective 4/24/2026) |
$4.20 (Until 4/23/2026) $4.80 (Effective 4/24/2026) |
Combined cash & tip minimum wage rate is $12.00 with maximum tip credit of $7.20 (40% of the applicable minimum wage). |
Below is a table outlining upcoming increases to minimum wage by state and when these changes are effectively taking place to help employers stay ahead of what's coming and be proactive with compliance for wage and hour laws.
| STATE | CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE | UPCOMING MINIMUM WAGE | EFFECTIVE DATE OF CHANGE |
| Florida | $14.00 | $15.00 | September 30, 2026 |
| Arizona | $15.15 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| California | $16.90 | $17.40* | January 1, 2027 |
| Colorado | $15.16 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $17.48 | January 1, 2027 |
| Maine | $15.10 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Michigan | $13.73 | $15.00 | January 1, 2027 |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Montana | $10.58 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| New Jersey (Standard) | $15.92 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| New Jersey (Seasonal/Small Employers with less than 6 Employees) | $15.23 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| New York (In New York City and Long Island / Westchester / Nassau Counties) |
$17.00 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| New York | $16.00 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Ohio | $11.00 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | $17.00 | January 1, 2027 |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Vermont | $14.42 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $13.75 | January 1, 2027 |
| Washington (Standard) | $17.13 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Washington (Seattle) | $21.30 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Washington (SeaTac) | $20.74 | TBD* | January 1, 2027 |
| Virgin Islands | $12.00 | $14.00 | June 1, 2027 |
| Alaska | $14.00 | $15.00 | July 1, 2027 |
| District of Columbia (D.C.) | $18.40 | TBD* | July 1, 2027 |
| Oregon (Standard) | $15.55 | TBD* | July 1, 2027 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $16.80 | TBD* | July 1, 2027 |
| Oregon (Non-Urban Counties) | $14.55 | TBD* | July 1, 2027 |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | $18.00 | January 1, 2028 |
*Anticipated change based on cost-of-living increases.
Reminder: Each time minimum wage changes, employers are required to raise standard pay rates for employees to the new minimum wage required and begin compensating employees from the effective date of change, which should be reflected in the next scheduled pay date on the employee's pay stub. Also, employers must display new state labor law posters for employees in the workplace.
Below is a table outlining recent state minimum wages increases that were required for employers to comply with from earlier this year.
| STATE | PREVIOUS MINIMUM WAGE |
UPDATED MINIMUM WAGE | EFFECTIVE DATE OF CHANGE |
| Alaska | $13.00 | $14.00 | July 1, 2026 |
| District of Columbia (D.C.) | $17.95 | $18.40 | July 1, 2026 |
| Oregon (Standard) | $15.05 | $15.55 | July 1, 2026 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $16.30 | $16.80 | July 1, 2026 |
| Oregon (Non-Urban Counties) | $14.05 | $14.55 | July 1, 2026 |
| Virgin Islands | $10.50 | $12.00 | April 24, 2026 |
| Arizona | $14.70 | $15.15 | January 1, 2026 |
| California | $16.50 | $16.90 | January 1, 2026 |
| Colorado | $14.81 | $15.16 | January 1, 2026 |
| Connecticut | $16.35 | $16.94 | January 1, 2026 |
| Hawaii | $14.00 | $16.00 | January 1, 2026 |
| Maine | $14.65 | $15.10 | January 1, 2026 |
| Michigan | $12.48 | $13.73 | January 1, 2026 |
| Minnesota | $11.13 | $11.41 | January 1, 2026 |
| Missouri | $13.75 | $15.00 | January 1, 2026 |
| Montana | $10.55 | $10.85 | January 1, 2026 |
| Nebraska | $13.50 | $15.00 | January 1, 2026 |
| New Jersey (Standard) | $15.49 | $15.92 | January 1, 2026 |
| New Jersey (Seasonal/Small Employers with less than 6 Employees) | $14.53 | $15.23 | January 1, 2026 |
| New York (In New York City and Long Island / Westchester) |
$16.50 | $17.00 | January 1, 2026 |
| New York | $15.50 | $16.00 | January 1, 2026 |
| Ohio | $10.70 | $11.00 | January 1, 2026 |
| Rhode Island | $15.00 | $16.00 | January 1, 2026 |
| South Dakota | $11.50 | $11.85 | January 1, 2026 |
| Vermont | $14.01 | $14.42 | January 1, 2026 |
| Virginia | $12.41 | $12.77 | January 1, 2026 |
| Washington (Standard) | $16.66 | $17.13 | January 1, 2026 |
| Washington (Seattle) | $20.76 | $21.30 | January 1, 2026 |
| Washington (SeaTac) | $20.17 | $20.74 | January 1, 2026 |
For a more holistic view and longer list of historical minimum wage changes by year, click here.
This information was last reviewed and / or updated as of September 4, 2026.
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