Minimum wage by state
Current minimum wage in every US state and DC. The federal minimum is $7.25/hr and hasn't moved since 2009, but 31 states pay more. Full breakdown of state rates, tipped wages, scheduled increases, and federal-vs-state interaction rules.
Key Takeaways
- Federal minimum: $7.25/hr (unchanged since 2009).
- Highest: District of Columbia ($17.50/hr). Lowest: Wyoming ($5.15/hr).
- 31 states pay above federal. 18 match federal. 2 below federal (federal applies to FLSA-covered workers).
- 7 states require full minimum for tipped workers — no tip credit allowed.
What the US minimum wage landscape looks like in 2026
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr, a rate that has not changed since July 2009. While federal law sets a floor, every state is free to set its own higher minimum. 31 of 51 US jurisdictions have adopted state minimums higher than federal; the average across all states is $11.10/hr.
When state and federal minimums differ, the higher rate applies to workers covered by both. Most hourly workers are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), so in practice, states with lower-than-federal minimums still pay federal rates to most of their workforce. The small exceptions are FLSA-exempt workers: certain agricultural workers, small-business workers at companies below $500K annual revenue threshold, and a handful of other categories.
State minimum wage, highest to lowest
| State | Min. wage | Tipped wage | Full-time annualized | Effective date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $17.50 | $10.00 | $36,400 | 2025-07-01 |
| Washington | $16.66 | $16.66 no tip credit | $34,653 | 2025-01-01 |
| California | $16.50 | $16.50 no tip credit | $34,320 | 2025-01-01 |
| Connecticut | $16.35 | $6.38 | $34,008 | 2025-01-01 |
| New York | $16.00 | $10.65 | $33,280 | 2025-01-01 |
| New Jersey | $15.49 | $5.62 | $32,219 | 2025-01-01 |
| Delaware | $15.00 | $2.23 | $31,200 | 2025-01-01 |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $9.00 | $31,200 | 2025-01-01 |
| Maryland | $15.00 | $3.63 | $31,200 | 2024-01-01 |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | $6.75 | $31,200 | 2023-01-01 |
| Rhode Island | $15.00 | $3.89 | $31,200 | 2025-01-01 |
| Colorado | $14.81 | $11.79 | $30,805 | 2025-01-01 |
| Arizona | $14.70 | $11.70 | $30,576 | 2025-01-01 |
| Oregon | $14.70 | $14.70 no tip credit | $30,576 | 2025-07-01 |
| Maine | $14.65 | $7.33 | $30,472 | 2025-01-01 |
| Vermont | $14.01 | $7.01 | $29,141 | 2025-01-01 |
| Florida | $14.00 | $10.98 | $29,120 | 2024-09-30 |
| Hawaii | $14.00 | $12.75 | $29,120 | 2024-01-01 |
| Missouri | $13.75 | $6.88 | $28,600 | 2025-01-01 |
| Nebraska | $13.50 | $2.13 | $28,080 | 2025-01-01 |
| Michigan | $12.48 | $3.75 | $25,958 | 2025-02-21 |
| Virginia | $12.41 | $2.13 | $25,813 | 2025-01-01 |
| Nevada | $12.00 | $12.00 no tip credit | $24,960 | 2024-07-01 |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $3.00 | $24,960 | 2023-01-01 |
| Alaska | $11.73 | $11.73 no tip credit | $24,398 | 2025-01-01 |
| South Dakota | $11.20 | $5.60 | $23,296 | 2025-01-01 |
| Minnesota | $11.13 | $11.13 no tip credit | $23,150 | 2025-01-01 |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | $2.63 | $22,880 | 2021-01-01 |
| Ohio | $10.65 | $5.35 | $22,152 | 2025-01-01 |
| Montana | $10.55 | $10.55 no tip credit | $21,944 | 2025-01-01 |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $2.62 | $18,200 | 2016-01-01 |
| Alabama | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $3.35 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $4.35 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Louisiana | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Mississippi | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | $3.26 | $15,080 | 2011-09-04 |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | $4.86 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | $2.83 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Texas | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Utah | $7.25 | $2.13 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | $2.33 | $15,080 | 2009-07-24 |
| Georgia | $5.15 | $2.13 | $10,712 | 2001-01-01 |
| Wyoming | $5.15 | $2.13 | $10,712 | 2001-01-01 |
Annualized column assumes 40 hours/week × 52 weeks at the state's standard minimum wage, before taxes.
States at $15/hr or higher
11 jurisdictions now have a minimum wage of $15/hr or higher. The "Fight for 15" movement that launched in 2012 has effectively set the standard in the most populous states:
| State | Min. wage | Above federal |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $17.50 | +$10.25 |
| Washington | $16.66 | +$9.41 |
| California | $16.50 | +$9.25 |
| Connecticut | $16.35 | +$9.10 |
| New York | $16.00 | +$8.75 |
| New Jersey | $15.49 | +$8.24 |
| Delaware | $15.00 | +$7.75 |
| Illinois | $15.00 | +$7.75 |
| Maryland | $15.00 | +$7.75 |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | +$7.75 |
| Rhode Island | $15.00 | +$7.75 |
States where tipped workers get the full minimum
Federally, tipped workers can be paid as little as $2.13/hr as long as tips bring total earnings to at least the federal minimum. 7 states prohibit this "tip credit" and require employers to pay the full state minimum as the base wage, with tips on top. This is one of the biggest sources of pay variance in the service industry between states.
- Alaska — full $11.73/hr base for tipped workers
- California — full $16.50/hr base for tipped workers
- Minnesota — full $11.13/hr base for tipped workers
- Montana — full $10.55/hr base for tipped workers
- Nevada — full $12.00/hr base for tipped workers
- Oregon — full $14.70/hr base for tipped workers
- Washington — full $16.66/hr base for tipped workers
States with no state minimum wage (or below federal)
2 states either haven't adopted a state minimum wage or set it below the federal level. In these states, the federal $$7.25/hr applies to workers covered by the FLSA, which is the majority of hourly workers.
- Georgia — state rate $5.15/hr (federal $7.25/hr applies to most workers)
- Wyoming — state rate $5.15/hr (federal $7.25/hr applies to most workers)
How state and federal minimum wage interact
Higher rate wins
When state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the higher of the two to workers covered by both laws. States with higher minimums effectively override federal for those workers.
Local ordinances stack on top
Cities and counties with their own minimum wage ordinances set a third floor. A worker in San Francisco (city $18.67) is covered by whichever of federal ($7.25), state ($16.50 CA), or local ($18.67) is highest, which is the local rate.
FLSA coverage is broad
Most hourly workers are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Even states with no state minimum still pay federal rates for the majority of their workforce. FLSA exemptions apply narrowly.
Youth and training wages
Federal FLSA allows employers to pay workers under 20 a training wage of $4.25/hr for the first 90 days. Most states also allow some form of youth or training wage. Check each state's exemption rules.
What to do if you're paid below the minimum wage
- Document your hours and pay
Save every pay stub, timesheet, and text or email from your employer about scheduling. The burden of proving hours worked falls on the employee in most wage cases.
- Calculate what you're owed
Multiply hours worked by the applicable minimum wage and subtract what you were actually paid. Include overtime hours at time-and-a-half or applicable state premium rate.
- File a state wage claim
Every state has a labor department that accepts wage claims at no cost to you. Links to each state's claim portal are on the state-specific pages. State claims typically resolve in 3 to 12 months.
- Consider a federal DOL complaint
For FLSA violations, file with the US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Federal claims have a 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for willful violations).
- Consult an employment lawyer for significant claims
Underpayment of $1,000+ or retaliation claims often warrant a private attorney. Many work on contingency. Find lawyers in your state via our employment lawyer directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which state has the highest minimum wage?
District of Columbia has the highest minimum wage at $17.50/hr. A full-time employee earning this rate makes approximately $36,400/year in gross pay before taxes.
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Which state has the lowest minimum wage?
Wyoming has the lowest minimum wage at $5.15/hr. 2 states have no state minimum wage or a rate below the federal minimum. In those states, most workers are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and must be paid at least the federal $7.25/hr. Annualized, the lowest rate produces about $10,712/year for a full-time worker.
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What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr, unchanged since 2009. A full-time worker at the federal rate earns $15,080/year gross. 31 states set higher rates than the federal minimum; 18 states match the federal rate; 2 states have rates below the federal minimum (the federal rate applies to most workers in those states).
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Which states require the full minimum wage for tipped workers?
7 states require employers to pay the full state minimum wage to tipped employees, with tips as additional compensation on top. These states: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington. The federal tipped minimum is $2.13/hr, so states that allow a tip credit permit employers to pay as little as $2.13/hr provided tips make up the difference to the full minimum.
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Do I have to pay the state or federal minimum wage?
Employers must pay whichever rate is higher. If state minimum is above federal, state rate applies. If state minimum is below federal (or the state has no minimum), federal $7.25/hr applies to any worker covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Most hourly workers in the US are FLSA-covered, including roughly all employees of businesses with $500,000+ in annual revenue.
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What if my employer pays below the minimum wage?
File a wage claim with your state labor department (links on each state page) or the US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Remedies typically include unpaid wages, interest, liquidated damages (often doubling the amount owed), and attorney's fees. Federal FLSA claims have a 2-year statute of limitations, extended to 3 years for willful violations. Private attorney lawsuits are common for significant underpayment claims.
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How often does the minimum wage change?
State minimum wages change at varying cadences. Some states (California, Colorado, Washington) adjust annually based on Consumer Price Index. Others adjust via scheduled legislative steps (New York's $17/hr downstate and $16/hr upstate phase-in). States like Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi haven't changed their state rate (or lack of one) in decades. Check each state's page for its specific schedule.
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Does the federal minimum wage apply to tipped workers?
Federal tipped minimum is $2.13/hr, but tips must bring total hourly earnings to the full federal $7.25/hr. If tips don't make up the difference, the employer owes the gap. Many states either require the full standard minimum for tipped workers or set a higher tipped minimum than federal. Check your state's specific rules.