Minimum Wage by State — 2026
Every state's minimum wage for 2026, straight from the U.S. Department of Labor. Pick your state to see its rate — or scan the full table below. The federal minimum wage is $7.25, where it has sat since 2009.
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 |
| Compared with federal | — |
| Tipped minimum (cash wage before tips) | — |
All states — full 2026 table
| State | 2026 minimum | Tipped min |
A "—" in the tipped column means there is no single statewide tipped cash wage (it varies by job or region) — see the note when you pick that state above.
How to read these numbers
You are owed the highest minimum wage that applies to you — federal, state, or local. If your state beats the federal $7.25, the state rate wins. If your state has no law of its own (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee) or one below $7.25 (Georgia, Wyoming), the federal $7.25 covers most workers, which is the rate shown here.
When rates change
Most states that raise their minimum wage do it on January 1 — often an automatic inflation adjustment. A few change mid-year in 2026: Alaska ($14.00), the District of Columbia ($18.40) and Oregon (standard rate $15.55) step up on July 1, 2026, and Florida reaches $15.00 on September 30, 2026. The table shows the rate in effect from January 1, with the scheduled increase noted for those states.
Cities can be higher
Many cities and counties set their own minimum wage above their state's — sometimes well above. This page covers state and federal rates only, so check your city's rate if you live in a major metro area.
What about tipped workers?
In most states, employers can pay tipped workers a lower cash wage and make up the rest with a "tip credit" — as low as the federal $2.13 in some states. Seven jurisdictions (Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) require the full state minimum wage before tips. If tips plus the cash wage don't add up to the full minimum, the employer has to make up the difference.
Earning close to the minimum? See what a raise would actually put in your pocket with our Pay Raise Calculator, or check your take-home pay with a paycheck calculator.
For general information only — not legal advice. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Consolidated Minimum Wage Table (effective January 1, 2026) and Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees table. Some occupations and small employers are exempt or have special rates; your state labor department has the official word for your situation.