Minimum wage by state in 2026
The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since July 2009 — the longest stretch without an increase since the minimum wage was created in 1938. But the federal floor is only part of the story: a majority of states now set their own, higher minimums, and where state and federal law differ, the higher rate applies.
The three tiers of minimum wage in 2026
States at the federal floor ($7.25). Around 20 states either have no state minimum or match the federal rate, concentrated in the South and the interior: Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and others. In these states, most hourly workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must earn at least $7.25.
Mid-range states ($10–$14). A broad middle group — including Florida (which is stepping toward $15 under a 2020 constitutional amendment), Ohio, Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas — sit between $10 and $14, many with automatic annual inflation adjustments.
High-minimum states ($15+). Washington, California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and the District of Columbia are at or above $15, with Washington and D.C. leading above $17. Several cities go further: Seattle, Denver and West Hollywood have local minimums above their state rates.
Because many states index their minimum to inflation each January, exact figures shift annually; check your state labor department for the current rate.
What a minimum-wage job pays
Working full-time (40 hours a week, 52 weeks):
| Hourly minimum | Yearly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | $1,257 |
| $12.00 | $24,960 | $2,080 |
| $15.00 | $31,200 | $2,600 |
| $17.00 | $35,360 | $2,947 |
At $7.25, a full-time worker earns $15,080 a year — below the 2026 federal poverty guideline for a household of two. That gap is the core of the ongoing "Fight for $15" (now effectively a fight for $20 in high-cost cities) policy debate.
Tipped workers
Federal law allows a tipped minimum of $2.13 per hour as long as tips bring the worker to at least $7.25; if they don't, the employer must make up the difference. Many states set higher tipped minimums, and seven states — including California, Washington and Nevada — require the full state minimum before tips.
Who is not covered
The FLSA exempts some workers from minimum wage rules: certain farm workers, seasonal amusement employees, some student learners, and workers with disabilities under (increasingly restricted) 14(c) certificates. Independent contractors are not covered at all — one reason worker-classification disputes matter so much (see our W-2 vs 1099 guide).
Why the state patchwork keeps growing
Congress last raised the federal minimum in 2007 (phased to 2009). Since then, states and cities have filled the vacuum through legislation and ballot measures — which voters have approved in red and blue states alike. The result is a widening spread: a minimum-wage worker in Washington earns more than twice as much per hour as one in Texas.
For employers operating across states, compliance means tracking every state and local rate, tip credit rule and youth wage. For workers, the practical rule is simple: you are entitled to the highest minimum that applies to your location — federal, state, county or city.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state)
- U.S. Department of Labor, History of Federal Minimum Wage Rates
- Economic Policy Institute, Minimum Wage Tracker
- State labor department publications, 2026 rate announcements
Estimates for reference only, based on 2026 published rates. Not tax, legal or financial advice.