State Minimum Wage in 2026: The Full 50-State Breakdown

The federal floor and why it matters

The Fair Labor Standards Act sets the federal minimum at $7.25/hr, unchanged since July 2009. When a state or city sets a higher minimum, that higher rate applies — employers must always pay the highest applicable rate.

The 2026 leaders

Washington, D.C. tops the list at $17.50/hr. Washington state ($16.66), California ($16.50), New York state ($16.50 in NYC/Long Island, $15.50 elsewhere), Connecticut ($16.35), and New Jersey ($15.49) follow.

Most of these states index minimum wage to inflation, so annual January bumps are automatic.

States still at the federal floor

Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee have no state minimum wage law and default to the federal $7.25. Texas, Wyoming, and a few others set their state minimum equal to the federal rate.

City minimums above state

Seattle ($20.76), San Francisco ($19.18), Denver ($18.81), and New York City ($16.50) all set city rates above their state floor. Check your city's specific rate before running payroll — several also require higher tipped minimums.

How this affects your paycheck

For hourly workers, your gross pay is simply hours × rate — but federal, state, and local taxes still come off. Our calculator models minimum-wage income accurately for all 50 states.