What states' minimum wage is going up in 2026?

Numerous states are raising their minimum wages in 2026, with many increases taking effect January 1st, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, with additional hikes scheduled later in the year for Alaska, Florida, and Oregon, impacting millions of workers.

What states are raising minimum wage in 2026?

States with a new minimum wage, effective Jan. 1, 2026

• Arizona: $15.15.
• California: $16.90.
• Colorado: $15.16.
• Connecticut: $16.94.
• Hawaii: $16.
• Maine: $15.10.
• Michigan: $13.73.
• Minnesota: $11.41.

Is minimum wage expected to go up in 2026?

Yes, minimum wages are going up significantly in many U.S. states and cities in 2026, driven by state laws and inflation adjustments, though the federal minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25/hour, as reported by. Over 60 jurisdictions, including California, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, are set to implement increases on January 1st or mid-year, with some reaching or surpassing $17/hour, while states like Arkansas, Delaware, and West Virginia are not raising theirs in 2026, notes this National Employment Law Project report. 

Which states are increasing the minimum wage?

Many states are raising their minimum wage in 2026, with increases taking effect at the start of the year or later in July, September, and October, impacting states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Alaska, Florida, and Oregon, with many reaching or exceeding $15 per hour, including specific rates for NYC and Portland.
 

What states are raising minimum wage in 2025 per hour?

In 2025, numerous states raised their minimum wages, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, with increases often taking effect on January 1st, adjusting for inflation or reaching new thresholds like $15/hour for Delaware, Illinois, and Rhode Island, and even higher in specific NY regions. 

Nearly 20 states to increase minimum wage in 2026

What 5 states have no minimum wage?

Five states currently have no state minimum wage, meaning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies to most workers in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee; however, other states like Georgia, Oklahoma, and Wyoming have minimum wages below the federal rate, while some cities might have higher local minimums.
 

What is a livable wage in 2025?

A living wage for 2025 varies significantly by location and family size, but generally requires much more than the federal minimum wage, with single adults needing upwards of $27/hour in high-cost states like California (around $59k/year) and families needing over $50/hour combined to cover basic needs like housing, food, and childcare, with some studies showing major gaps between current minimums and actual living wage requirements nationwide. 

What is the pay raise for 2026?

Most civilian employees on the General Schedule are set for a 1% pay bump beginning in January, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon finalizing the 2026 federal pay raise.

What three states have the highest minimum wage?

As of early 2026, the top three highest minimum wage states are Washington ($17.13), California ($16.90), and Connecticut ($16.94), though Washington, D.C., has the highest rate overall at $17.95, with New York also having tiered rates like $17.00 in certain areas, according to Paycor and Paycom and Paycom Blog.
 

What states are going to have $15 minimum wage?

Many states have raised their minimum wage to $15 or more, with some reaching this milestone in early 2026, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington, while others like Florida, Hawaii, Maine, and Oregon are also at or near $15, with some scheduled for full $15 implementation in 2026, impacting millions of workers with higher pay than the federal minimum. 

What is the minimum wage in Florida in 2026?

Florida's minimum wage will increase to $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026, completing the gradual increase mandated by a 2020 voter-approved constitutional amendment (Amendment 2) that raised the wage by $1 annually until reaching $15. After this date, the wage will be indexed to inflation for annual adjustments, starting with an announcement on September 30, 2027, for a January 1, 2028, effective date.
 

How much is $30 an hour annually in California?

$30 an hour is approximately $62,400 per year for a standard full-time job (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) before taxes, but in California, salaries for $30/hr roles can vary significantly by location, with some cities like Berkeley showing averages around $111k, while general averages might be higher than the base calculation due to California's high cost of living, with median salaries sometimes cited over $100k. 

Who gets $20 an hour in California?

In California, fast-food workers at chains with 60 or more locations nationwide get a minimum of $20 per hour, effective April 1, 2024, under the new law AB 1228 Fast Food Minimum Wage. This includes cooks and cashiers at big chains like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Subway, but excludes some locations like those in airports or hotels and smaller local eateries. Other roles in retail or hospitality might also start around this wage, but it's primarily a mandate for the national fast-food sector. 

What are the 10 states with the lowest minimum wage?

The 10 states with the lowest minimum wage in early 2026 are generally those following the federal rate or having no state minimum, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee (no state law, default to $7.25), plus Georgia, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wisconsin, Indiana, Idaho, Missouri, and others at the federal minimum of $7.25/hour, with Georgia, Wyoming & Oklahoma having listed lower rates but still mostly applying the federal $7.25 for most workers.
 

Will minimum wage increase in 2026 in California?

Yes, California's statewide minimum wage increased to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026, up from $16.50, as part of the state's annual cost-of-living adjustment. This increase also affects minimum salaries for exempt employees, raising the annual threshold to over $70,000, and many cities and counties, along with special sectors like fast food and healthcare, have even higher local rates. 

Which state is paying the new minimum wage?

About 20 states have revealed their implementation of the new wage law, which will see them pay N70,000 approved by the federal government, BusinessDay findings show. The states are: Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Jigawa, Gombe, Ogun, Kebbi, Ondo, Kogi among others.

Why is Target paying $24 an hour?

Target pays up to $24 an hour for some entry-level roles because of intense retail competition, labor shortages, and inflation, leading them to invest in higher wages and better benefits (like expanded healthcare) to attract and retain employees in competitive markets, rather than paying a universal $24 minimum. The rate varies by location and role, with the highest pay in high-cost, competitive areas, as part of a broader $300 million investment in their workforce announced in 2022. 

What states have no minimum wage?

Currently, 34 states, territories and districts have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour.

What state pays the highest per hour?

Washington state generally has the highest average hourly wage among the 50 states, with recent data showing around $42 per hour, though Washington D.C. has a higher rate overall; Massachusetts and California also rank very high for average hourly pay, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources. 

Will my paycheck be bigger in 2026?

Yes, your paycheck will likely be a bit bigger in 2026 due to inflation adjustments increasing tax brackets and the standard deduction, meaning more income is taxed at lower rates or isn't taxed at all before hitting higher brackets, but the increase is generally modest, often just a few dollars per paycheck unless you're getting a substantial raise in your base salary. These changes, driven by inflation and legislation like the "One Big Beautiful Bill," mean you keep more of your earnings before taxes hit, even if your income stays the same as 2025. 

Is minimum wage supposed to go up in 2025?

Yes, minimum wages are going up in many places in 2025, with at least 21 states increasing their rates on January 1st, plus more later in the year and at local levels, though the federal minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25/hour, with no federal increase expected in 2025 despite proposed legislation like the Raise the Wage Act. 

What is the cost-of-living increase for 2026?

The 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and SSI benefits is 2.8%, announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in late 2025, resulting in higher payments starting January 2026 for most beneficiaries. This increase helps maintain purchasing power against inflation and translates to an average monthly retirement benefit increase of around $56, while SSI payments also rise, with maximum federal amounts for individuals set at $994 monthly. 

Can a family survive on $70,000 per year?

Yes, supporting a family on $70k a year is possible but challenging, heavily depending on your location's cost of living, family size, and lifestyle choices, as high expenses like childcare and housing in expensive cities can make it very tight, while lower costs in rural areas or smaller towns offer more breathing room and potential for savings. Budgeting tightly, minimizing debt, and living in an affordable area are key to making it work. 

What salary is $40 an hour?

$40 an hour is $83,200 per year ($40 x 40 hours x 52 weeks), which breaks down to about $1,600 weekly, $3,200 bi-weekly, or roughly $6,933 monthly, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek. To calculate, multiply your hourly rate by 2080 (40 hours x 52 weeks) for the annual salary. 

What is the best state to live in financially?

The best state for finances depends on your priorities (low taxes vs. high wages/opportunity), but top contenders often include Wyoming, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and New Hampshire for low taxes/cost of living, while Utah, Colorado, and Washington rank highly for overall financial well-being, good wages, and affordability, with Iowa and Georgia offering strong fiscal stability and affordability too.