US Minimum Wage 2026: Full State-by-State Breakdown

• Author: Jeff Christiansen
• Posted: 2026-02-05

In February 2026, minimum wage rates vary widely across the U.S., with some states tied to inflation adjustments and others sticking to the federal rate.

Federal Minimum Wage in 2026

The federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009.

This applies in states without their own minimum wage laws, including Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.

However, most states set higher wages to reflect living costs and labor policies.
 

States With the Highest Minimum Wages

Several states lead the nation in minimum pay, often adjusting annually for inflation:

• Washington, D.C.: $17.95

• New York (NYC & nearby counties): $17.00; rest of NY: $16.00

• California: $16.90

• Washington: $17.13

• Connecticut: $16.94
   

States With Scheduled Increases in 2026

Many states have planned automatic or phased wage hikes this year:

• Alaska: $14.00 starting July 1, 2026

• Florida: $15.00 on September 30, 2026

• Michigan: $13.73, rising to $15.00 in 2027

• Missouri & Nebraska: $15.00

States Maintaining the Federal Minimum

Some states remain at $7.25, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, unless state legislation or future federal changes increase it.
 

Complete Minimum Wage by State (2026)

• Alabama: $7.25

• Alaska: $14.00 (from July 1)

• Arizona: $15.15

• Arkansas: $11.00

• California: $16.90

• Colorado: $15.16

• Connecticut: $16.94

• Delaware: $15.00

• District of Columbia: $17.95

• Florida: $15.00 (from Sept. 30)

• Georgia: $7.25

• Hawaii: $16.00

• Idaho: $7.25

• Illinois: $15.00

• Indiana: $7.25

• Iowa: $7.25

• Kansas: $7.25

• Kentucky: $7.25

• Louisiana: $7.25

• Maine: $15.10

• Maryland: $15.00

• Massachusetts: $15.00

• Michigan: $13.73

• Minnesota: $11.41

• Mississippi: $7.25

• Missouri: $15.00

• Montana: $10.85

• Nebraska: $15.00

• Nevada: $12.00

• New Hampshire: $7.25

• New Jersey: $15.92

• New Mexico: $12.00

• New York: $17.00 (NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester) / $16.00 (rest)

• North Carolina: $7.25

• North Dakota: $7.25

• Ohio: $11.00 (employers >$405K)

• Oklahoma: $7.25

• Oregon: $16.30 (Portland metro) / $15.05 (general) / $14.05 (rural)

• Pennsylvania: $7.25

• Rhode Island: $16.00

• South Carolina: $7.25

• South Dakota: $11.85

• Tennessee: $7.25

• Texas: $7.25

• Utah: $7.25

• Vermont: $14.42

• Virginia: $12.77

• Washington: $17.13

• West Virginia: $8.75

• Wisconsin: $7.25

• Wyoming: $7.25

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