A number of US states are raising the minimum wage in 2026, and the information is just as crucial for businesses as it is for workers. The US federal minimum wage, as established under the Fair Labor Standards Act, has remained fixed at $7.25 per hour, a level it has maintained since 2009.
Instead of relying on the federal government to raise the minimum wage for all US citizens, many states have enforced their own laws to ensure that employers adjust their pay for workers to better suit the changing times and the rising cost of living. Over 22 states are raising the minimum wage on January 1, 2026, with a few more following suit later in the year. Understanding these changes is essential for any business to ensure its operations fall in line with the law.
Here’s a list of the US states raising their minimum wages in 2026, with most changes scheduled to take place immediately on January 1. (Image: Pexels)
Looking at a State-by-State Review of the Regions Increasing the Minimum Wage in the US in 2026
Despite the rising cost of living, the federal minimum wage standards have not been raised in over a decade, with no inflation adjustments to ensure that all workers can sustain themselves on their pay from a single job. There have been discussions and bills that have aimed to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, but no concrete regulatory changes have been made so far.
Frontline workers across industries who make up the backbone of our society rely on these hourly wages to make ends meet, but they are often required to work multiple jobs in order to maintain a basic standard of living. States that have raised their minimum wage in recent years have made significant steps towards improving the quality of life for these workers, but the increase in the minimum wage is not a one-time affair.
Yearly reviews often alert state authorities on whether adjustments need to be made to account for the changing times, and through a combination of legislation, inflation adjustments, and ballot measures, new regulations are introduced. Many US states raised the minimum wage in 2025, and many will continue to do so next year as well.
Where Will the Minimum Wage Rise in 2026?
Understanding the 2026 minimum wage laws is an essential part of preparing businesses for the changes that are to come, reeling budgets and headcounts to ensure that workers can be paid. With just over two weeks left to prepare for some of the US states increasing the minimum wage in 2026, the time for planning is now.
Even within these states, some cities and counties like Flagstaff and Redwood City have their own hourly minimum wage hikes to look forward to, so it is important for HR teams to account for those changes as well.
States Raising the Minimum Wage on January 1, 2026
- Arizona: $15.15
- California: $16.90
- Colorado: $15.16
- Connecticut: $16.94
- Hawaii: $16.00
- Maine: $15.10
- Michigan: $13.73
- Minnesota: $11.41
- Missouri: $15.00
- Montana: $10.85
- Nebraska: $15.00
- New Jersey:
- $14.20 for agricultural workers
- $15.92 for employers with six or more employees
- $15.23 for seasonal workers
- $18.92 for long-term care workers
- New York:
- $17.00 in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester County
- $16.00 in upstate regions
- Ohio: $11.00
- Rhode Island: $16.00
- South Dakota: $11.85
- Vermont: $14.42
- Virginia: $12.77
- Washington: $17.13
US States Raising Minimum Wage Later in 2026
- Alaska: $14.00, July 1, 2026
- California: Between $19.28 $25.00, depending on facility type, July 1, 2026, for health care workers
- Florida: $15.00, September 30, 2026
- Oregon: Will be determined for July 1, 2026
Which States Will Offer a Minimum Wage Higher than $15 in 2026?
A number of US states are set to raise the hourly minimum wage above $15 this year, while others already offer at or above this standard. The list includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.
Workers in some regions of New York will see it go up to $17 per hour, but certain industries in California enjoy the highest pay raise by state, with fast food and healthcare workers enjoying minimum pay above $20.
Do Employers Have to Follow the Federal Or State Minimum Wage?
By law, US employers are governed by federal, state, and local regulations. In terms of minimum wage, they have to follow whichever regulation promises the highest hourly minimum wage for workers, among the three governing powers. A large number of US states offer a higher minimum wage than the federal standard, and employers are required to model their pay accordingly.
Some US states still operate at the federal minimum wage standards, such as Texas, Idaho, and Iowa. The state minimum wage in Georgia is lower than the federal minimum, standing at $5.15. As a result, employees covered by the FLSA operate under the federal minimum wage regulations instead.
With States Raising Minimum Wage in 2026, Employers and HR Teams Need to Take Note
A new year doesn’t just bring new opportunities and possibilities, but also new regulations and changes to contend with. Workers who perform minimum wage jobs, whether part-time or full-time, rely on this income to meet their daily needs. Ensuring that employees are paid appropriately and on time is the basic responsibility of any employer, whether big or small. Not only do these changes affect workers earning minimum wage, but often provide higher earners with a reason to demand pay raises and adjustments as well.
Apart from the changes to the US state minimum wages in 2026, there are also many new labor laws that businesses need to look out for. There are instances of both federal and state regulations that are on their way, which means it’s time for HR teams to put on their reading glasses to get a closer look at how these changes are set to affect their business and operations overall. Not only that, communicating these changes to employees and highlighting what the business is doing to keep up can be a great way to establish a connection with workers, making it definitely worthwhile for organizations to explore.
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