Minimum-Wage Workers in These 19 States Just Got a Raise
Minimum-wage workers in 19 states are starting the year with a raise, including those in a handful of states that just hit or eclipsed the $15-per-hour mark.
Some of the highest-minimum-wage states, such as Connecticut ($16.94 per hour) and Washington ($17.13), saw additional increases take effect on Jan. 1. The list of 2026 pay adjustments also includes states like Montana ($10.85) and Ohio ($11), which implemented inflation adjustments that boosted their relatively low minimums.
The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not budged since 2009, essentially leaving it to states to set meaningful minimum wage increases. According to the payroll software firm ADP, 20 states do not have a minimum wage above the federal level, while 34 states and territories do contain some areas with minimum wage rates above it. (That group includes Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
Every year, the month of January sees several minimum wage increases as state-mandated automatic cost-of-living increases kick in. It's also a common start date for any state laws enacting one-off or staggered minimum wage increases.
For example, the sizable $1.50 increase bringing Nebraska's minimum wage to $15 in 2026 stems from a 2022 minimum wage ballot measure. Voters chose to lift the wage from $9 over a multiyear span.
Looking ahead, additional minimum wages hikes are coming. While January is the most common month for minimum wage increases, at least four states are expected to hike those pay rates later in the year.
For now, take a look at a complete roundup of where state minimum wages increased Jan. 1.
States adjusting minimum wages for inflation in 2026
State minimum wage laws often tie the minimum pay rate to inflation indexes like the consumer price index, or CPI in an effort to provide automatic cost-of-living adjustments that help keep wages in line with rising prices.
These are the 13 states that saw that type of minimum wage adjustment on Jan. 1:
- Arizona: $14.70 per hour to $15.15 (+45 cents from 2025)
- California: $16.50 to $16.90 (+40 cents)
- Colorado: $14.81 to $15.16 (+35 cents)
- Connecticut: $16.35 to $16.94 (+59 cents)*
- Maine: $14.65 to $15.10 (+45 cents)
- Minnesota: $11.13 to $11.41 (+28 cents)
- Montana: $10.55 to $10.85 (+30 cents)
- New Jersey: $15.49 to $15.92 (+43 cents)*
- Ohio: $10.70 to $11 (+30 cents)
- South Dakota: $11.50 to $11.85 (+35 cents)
- Vermont: $14.01 to $14.42 (+41 cents)
- Virginia: $12.41 to $12.77 (+36 cents)
- Washington: $16.66 to $17.13 (+47 cents)
Two carveouts to keep in mind: Connecticut's minimum wage is tied to the employment cost index, not a consumer price index, which results in the larger increase.
And in New Jersey, seasonal employers and those with fewer than six employees aren't tied to that $15.92 level. They can pay a minimum wage of $15.23 in 2026.
States with minimum wage law changes in 2026
The most significant minimum wage increases in 2026 are coming in states, both red and blue, that approved new minimum wage laws in recent years.
Here are six states with minimum wage law changes effective Jan. 1:
- Hawaii: $14 to $16 (+$2)
- Michigan: $12.48 to $13.73 (+$1.25)
- Missouri: $13.75 to $15 (+$1.25)
- Nebraska: $13.50 to $15 (+$1.50)
- New York: $15.50 to $16 (+50 cents)
- Rhode Island: $15 to $16 (+$1)
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