Minimum Wage by State in June 2026: Updated Pay Rates
Workers in certain states now earn more than double the federal baseline. While the national floor stays frozen at $7.25 per hour (unchanged since 2009), over 20 states have pushed their hourly floors higher in 2026.
Washington state tops the continental U.S. at $17.13 per hour. Washington, D.C. leads nationwide at $17.95 per hour.
Learn more about federal labor rules at Fair Labor Standards Act.
Read: Can Dividends Replace a $110,000 Salary? Here's What You Actually Need Invested
2026 Pay Rates by Location
| Location | New Hourly Rate | What Is Different |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $17.95 | Highest across the U.S. |
| Washington | $17.13 | Full-state coverage |
| New York (NYC area) | $17.00 | Upstate NY: $16.00 |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | Statewide |
| California | $16.90 | Statewide |
| Massachusetts | $16.00 | Statewide |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | New 2026 increase |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | New 2026 increase |
| Portland, OR | $16.28 | Rest of OR: $15.45 |
| Colorado | $15.62 | Statewide |
| New Jersey | $15.13 | Small business or seasonal: lower |
| Arizona | $15.00 | Statewide |
| Illinois | $15.00 | Statewide |
| Florida | $13.00 | $15.00 starts September 30 |
| Missouri | $15.00 | New 2026 increase |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | New 2026 increase |
| Alaska | $13.05 | $14.00 starts July 1 |
Still at the Federal Floor ($7.25 per hour)
These locations have not raised their baseline:
Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Check the federal minimum wage page at U.S. Department of Labor.
States That Raised Pay in 2026
More than 20 states increased their minimum wage:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington
Quick Facts
| What | 2026 Number |
|---|---|
| Federal floor | $7.25 per hour (since 2009) |
| Nationwide top rate | $17.95 per hour (D.C.) |
| States at $15+ | 19 states plus D.C. |
| When both rules apply | Worker gets the higher pay |
| Midyear bumps | Alaska on July 1, Florida on September 30 |
Special Cases That Change the Rate
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Oregon has three tiers: Portland metro ($16.28), standard counties ($15.45), rural counties (lower)
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New Jersey has a lower rate for seasonal workers and small companies with 6 or fewer employees
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Ohio applies a higher rate only for businesses above a revenue threshold
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Tipped staff, teens, and students often qualify for lower sub-minimum rates
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Some city or county rules top the state rate, such as Seattle and San Francisco
Why This Matters Now
For workers:
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More cash per hour in raising states
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Built-in inflation bumps in some places
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Paychecks vary widely by zip code
For business owners:
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Must juggle federal, state, and city rules
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Some rates kick in mid-year
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Staying compliant is a moving target
What to Do Now
For employees:
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Look up your state's current rate
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Check if your city has a higher local rule
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Confirm you are earning the right amount
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Report problems to your state labor office
For employers:
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Monitor federal and state and local wage updates
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Adjust payroll for mid-year changes
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Review tip, teen, and student pay rules
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Always pay the higher rate when rules overlap
Find your state labor office at CareerOneStop State Labor Links.
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