2026 Minimum Wage Rates by State

Keeping up with minimum wage changes is a key part of payroll planning; especially for employers with multi-state teams or employees working in different jurisdictions. For 2026, minimum wage rates are expected to change in a number of states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

A few reminders that can help reduce compliance risk:

• Local rates may be higher than state rates- Certain cities and counties can set minimum wages above the statewide minimum, so it’s important to confirm the correct rate based on where the employee performs work.
• Watch the calendar- Key effective dates noted for 2026 include January 1 (new rates expected in 19 states), July 1 (new rates expected in Alaska, the District of Columbia, and Oregon), and September 30 (a new rate expected in Florida).
• Overtime and exemption considerations still apply- Under federal and state laws, overtime is generally paid at 1.5x the regular rate for overtime hours, with certain exemptions tied in part to salary level requirements for executive/administrative/professional roles
• Don’t forget required notices- Updated wage rates may also mean updating wage-and-hour notices, which may require checking each state’s Department of Labor resources.

Below is a state-by-state 2026 wage rate reference, including effective dates and notes (such as tip-credit rules and location-based differences) to support confident payroll and compliance planning.

2026 Minimum Wage Rates by State.