Minimum Wage 2026

Federal minimum wage remains $7.25/hour. 30 states + DC have higher minimums. Tipped minimum wage varies by state.

WH By WageHour Tools Editorial Team Verified against official sources June 8, 2026 How we research
AL Alabama $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
AK Alaska $11.91 Tipped: $11.91 Adjusted annually for inflation
AZ Arizona $14.70 Tipped: $11.70 Indexed to inflation
AR Arkansas $11.00 Tipped: $2.63
CA California $16.50 Tipped: $16.50 Fast food workers: $20/hr. Cities often higher.
CO Colorado $14.81 Tipped: $11.79 Denver: $18.81
CT Connecticut $16.35 Tipped: $6.38 Indexed to employment cost index
DE Delaware $15.00 Tipped: $2.23
FL Florida $14.00 Tipped: $10.98 Rises to $15 on Sep 30, 2026
GA Georgia $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal State minimum is $5.15 but FLSA overrides for most
HI Hawaii $14.00 Tipped: $12.50 Reaches $18 by 2028
ID Idaho $7.25 Tipped: $3.35 Federal
IL Illinois $15.00 Tipped: $9.00 Chicago: $16.20
IN Indiana $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
IA Iowa $7.25 Tipped: $4.35 Federal
KS Kansas $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
KY Kentucky $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
LA Louisiana $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
ME Maine $14.65 Tipped: $7.33
MD Maryland $15.00 Tipped: $3.63 Montgomery County: $17.15
MA Massachusetts $15.00 Tipped: $6.75
MI Michigan $12.48 Tipped: $4.74
MN Minnesota $11.13 Tipped: $11.13 Large employer rate. Small: $8.85
MS Mississippi $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
MO Missouri $13.75 Tipped: $6.88 Reaches $15 by 2026
MT Montana $10.55 Tipped: $10.55
NE Nebraska $13.50 Tipped: $2.13
NV Nevada $12.00 Tipped: $12.00 No tip credit allowed
NH New Hampshire $7.25 Tipped: $3.27 Federal
NJ New Jersey $15.49 Tipped: $5.62
NM New Mexico $12.00 Tipped: $3.00
NY New York $16.00 Tipped: $10.65 NYC/Long Island/Westchester: $16.50
NC North Carolina $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
ND North Dakota $7.25 Tipped: $4.86 Federal
OH Ohio $10.70 Tipped: $5.35
OK Oklahoma $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
OR Oregon $14.70 Tipped: $14.70 Portland metro: $15.95
PA Pennsylvania $7.25 Tipped: $2.83 Federal
RI Rhode Island $15.00 Tipped: $3.89
SC South Carolina $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
SD South Dakota $11.50 Tipped: $5.75
TN Tennessee $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
TX Texas $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
UT Utah $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
VT Vermont $14.01 Tipped: $7.01
VA Virginia $12.41 Tipped: $2.13
WA Washington $16.66 Tipped: $16.66 Highest state minimum. Seattle: $20.76
WV West Virginia $8.75 Tipped: $2.62
WI Wisconsin $7.25 Tipped: $2.33 Federal
WY Wyoming $7.25 Tipped: $2.13 Federal
DC Washington DC $17.50 Tipped: $10.00 Highest minimum in the U.S.

How minimum wage works

Federal vs. State

When state and federal rates differ, employees are entitled to the higher wage. This is why state minimums effectively override the federal $7.25 in 30 states.

Tipped Minimum Wage

Federal tipped minimum is $2.13/hr, but employers must ensure tips bring total to $7.25+. Several states (CA, WA, NV, OR, MN) require full minimum wage before tips.

City-Level Minimums

Many cities set higher rates: Seattle $20.76, Denver $18.81, Chicago $16.20, NYC $16.50, Portland $15.95. Check local ordinances.

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and has not changed since 2009. Where a state or city sets a higher rate, the higher rate applies to most workers.

Which states still use the $7.25 federal minimum?

Roughly 20 states default to the federal $7.25 (mostly in the South and parts of the Midwest), including Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. The other 30 states plus Washington, D.C. set higher minimums.

Why is the city minimum wage sometimes higher than the state?

Many cities set their own local minimum wage above the state floor — for example Seattle, Denver, Chicago, New York City, and Portland. Where a city rate is higher, employers in that city must pay it.

How does the tipped minimum wage work?

The federal tipped minimum is $2.13/hour, but the employer must make up the difference if tips do not bring the worker to the full minimum wage. Several states (including California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, and Minnesota) do not allow a tip credit, so tipped workers get the full minimum before tips.

When do minimum wages usually change?

Most state increases take effect on January 1, though some (such as Florida and Oregon) change mid-year. Several states index their minimum to inflation, so the rate adjusts automatically each year.