State Minimum Wage in 2026: The Map Nobody Shows You
Last updated · Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009 — the longest period without an increase in US history. But the federal floor is largely irrelevant for most workers because 30 states and dozens of cities have set higher minimums. The result is a patchwork that ranges from $7.25 in 20 states to $17+ in cities like Seattle and SeaTac. This guide gives you the complete 2026 map, including the federal floor, every state above it, the major city minimums, and the scheduled future increases through 2028.
The federal floor: still $7.25
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the national minimum wage at $7.25 per hour, where it has been since July 24, 2009. This is the floor for any state that has not set a higher minimum.
20 states still use the federal $7.25 minimum (no state-level increase): Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Some of these (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee) have no state minimum wage law at all and rely entirely on the federal default.
Five states have a state minimum below the federal $7.25: Georgia ($5.15), Wyoming ($5.15). For workers covered by FLSA (most employees), the federal $7.25 still applies — these state numbers only matter for the small subset of workers exempt from FLSA.
States with $15+ minimum wage in 2026
The "Fight for 15" movement, started in 2012, has succeeded in pushing several states to $15 or higher. As of January 2026:
- California: $16.50 (plus $20 for fast food workers, $25 for healthcare workers)
- Connecticut: $16.35
- Maryland: $15.00
- Massachusetts: $15.00
- New Jersey: $15.49
- New York (state): $15.50; NYC, Long Island, Westchester at $16.50
- Rhode Island: $15.00
- Washington: $16.66 (highest state minimum)
- Washington DC: $17.95 (highest of any US jurisdiction)
- Illinois: $15.00
- Delaware: $15.00
Several other states have set scheduled increases bringing them to $15+ within the next 1-3 years: Florida (reaches $15 in 2026), Hawaii, Vermont, Virginia, Nebraska, Nevada (with two-tier health insurance system).
City and county minimum wages above state
Many cities and counties have set local minimum wages above their state's level. The major ones in 2026:
- SeaTac, WA: $19.71 (hospitality and transportation workers — historically the highest in the US)
- Seattle, WA: $20.76 large employers, $17.25 small employers
- Denver, CO: $18.81
- Tukwila, WA: $20.10
- San Francisco, CA: $18.67
- West Hollywood, CA: $19.65
- Mountain View, CA: $19.20
- Berkeley, CA: $18.67
- Los Angeles (city): $17.28 / county $17.27
- Oakland, CA: $16.89
- NYC: $16.50 (matches state)
- Portland, OR: $15.95 (urban) / $14.75 (standard) / $13.70 (non-urban)
- Minneapolis, MN: $15.97 large / $14.50 small
- Chicago, IL: $16.20
- Birmingham, AL: blocked by state preemption — local minimum wage laws are illegal in Alabama
Notably, 25+ states have preemption laws that prevent cities from setting their own minimum wage. Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and most of the South prohibit local minimum wage laws regardless of city wishes.
Tipped minimum wage: the $2.13 federal floor
The federal tipped minimum wage is $2.13 per hour — set in 1991 and not changed since. Tipped workers are supposed to make at least the regular minimum wage when tips are included, with employers required to make up the difference if tips fall short. In practice, this rule is widely violated and difficult to enforce.
Seven states have eliminated the tipped wage credit entirely, requiring employers to pay full minimum wage before tips:
- California ($16.50 + tips)
- Oregon ($14.20 + tips)
- Washington ($16.66 + tips)
- Nevada ($12.00 + tips)
- Minnesota ($11.13 + tips)
- Montana ($10.55 + tips)
- Alaska ($11.91 + tips)
43 states still allow employers to pay tipped workers a sub-minimum wage, with the gap supposed to be made up by tips. The federal $2.13 minimum applies in many of these states.
For more on the tipped wage system, see our tipped wage loophole guide.
Scheduled increases through 2028
Several states have scheduled automatic minimum wage increases tied to inflation or specific dates. Notable upcoming changes:
- California: indexed to CPI; expected $17 by 2027, $18 by 2028
- Florida: $14 in 2025, $15 in 2026 (passed by ballot 2020)
- Maryland: $15 in 2026, then indexed to CPI
- Nebraska: $15 by 2026 (ballot measure passed 2022)
- Nevada: $12.00 single-tier in 2024; further increases pending
- Hawaii: $14 in 2024, $16 in 2026, $18 in 2028
- Washington: indexed to CPI annually; projected to exceed $18 by 2028
Some states (NY, NJ, MA, CT) also index annually to inflation, so the headline number rises with CPI without explicit legislation.
Why this matters even if you earn well above minimum
Minimum wage affects more than just minimum wage workers:
- Wage compression: when minimum rises, workers earning slightly above minimum see their wages compressed unless their employer adjusts. This typically forces upward pressure on pay 30-50% above minimum.
- Local cost of living: higher minimum wage cities tend to have higher prices for services because labor costs flow through. A $20/hour minimum city has more expensive restaurants, childcare, and personal services than a $7.25/hour state.
- Geographic mobility: minimum wage is one of many factors that influence where workers can afford to live and where employers can afford to operate. State preemption laws have created mismatches where cities want higher minimums but states block them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?+
$7.25 per hour. Set in 2009 and unchanged since — the longest period without an increase in US history. 20 states use this federal floor; 30 states have set higher minimums ranging from $9 to $17 per hour.
Which state has the highest minimum wage?+
Washington at $16.66/hour. Washington DC has the highest of any US jurisdiction at $17.95. Several cities have higher minimums: Seattle large employers at $20.76, SeaTac hospitality at $19.71, West Hollywood at $19.65.
What is the tipped minimum wage?+
The federal tipped minimum is $2.13/hour, set in 1991 and unchanged since. Employers are supposed to make up the difference when tips fall short of regular minimum wage. Seven states (CA, OR, WA, NV, MN, MT, AK) have eliminated the tipped credit entirely, requiring full minimum wage before tips.
Can my city set a higher minimum wage than my state?+
Depends on the state. About 25 states have preemption laws that prevent cities from setting local minimum wages above the state level. Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and most of the South prohibit local minimum wage laws. California, Washington, Oregon, and others allow cities to set higher minimums.
Will the federal minimum wage go up?+
No federal increase has been passed since 2009. Multiple bills to raise it have failed in Congress. Most increases have come at the state level, with 30 states now exceeding the federal $7.25. Federal action would require Congressional legislation.
How does my minimum wage affect my actual paycheck if I earn above it?+
Indirectly through wage compression. When the minimum rises, workers earning slightly above minimum often see their wages compressed unless employers adjust. This typically forces upward pressure on pay 30-50% above minimum. It also affects the cost of services (restaurants, childcare, personal services) you buy locally.