Minimum wage is up in 19 states starting January 1, affecting over 8 million workers.
Washington, D.C., has the highest minimum wage in the US at $17.95 per hour, while 20 states still either mandate $7.25 or default to the federal line.
Business Insider listed the minimum wage in each state, from highest to lowest. We bolded the states where wages increased starting January 1, 2026.
$17.00/hour or more
Washington, D.C.: $17.95
Washington: $17.13 (increased from $16.66)
New York: $17 (increased from $16.50)
*The minimum wage applies only in New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County.
$16/hour — $17/hour
Connecticut: $16.94 (increased from $16.35)
California: $16.90 (increased from $16.50)
Hawaii: $16.00 (increased from $14)
Oregon: $16.30 or $15.05 or $14.05
*The standard minimum wage in Oregon is $15.05 per hour. The minimum wage in the Portland metro area is $16.30 per hour, and the minimum wage in nonurban counties is $14.05 per hour.
New York: $16.00 (increased from $15.50)
*The minimum wage outside New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County.
Rhode Island: $16.00 (increased from $15)
$15/hour — $16/hour
New Jersey: $15.92 (increased from $15.49)
*The minimum wage for employers who employ fewer than six people and employees engaged in seasonal employment in New Jersey is $15.23 per hour.
Colorado: $15.16 (increased from $14.81)
Arizona: $15.15 (increased from $14.70)
Maine: $15.10 (increased from $14.65)
Delaware: $15.00
Illinois: $15.00
Massachusetts: $15.00
Maryland: $15.00
Missouri: $15.00 (increased from $13.75)
Nebraska: $15.00 (increased from $13.50)
$10/hour — $15/hour
Vermont: $14.42 (increased from $14.01)
Florida: $14.00
Michigan: $13.73 (increased from $12.48)
Alaska: $13.00
Virginia: $12.77 (increased from $12.41)
New Mexico: $12.00
Nevada: $12.00
South Dakota: $11.85 (increased from $11.50)
Minnesota: $11.41 (increased from $11.13)
Ohio: $11.00 (increased from $10.70)
*Ohio employers with annual gross receipts under $405,000 must pay no less than $7.25 per hour.
Arkansas: $11.00
Montana: $10.85 (increased from $10.55)
*A Montana business not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4.00 per hour.
$7.25/hour – $10/hour
West Virginia: $8.75
Iowa: $7.25
Idaho: $7.25
Indiana: $7.25
Kansas: $7.25
Kentucky: $7.25
North Carolina: $7.25
North Dakota: $7.25
New Hampshire: $7.25
Oklahoma: $7.25
Pennsylvania: $7.25
Texas: $7.25
Utah: $7.25
Wisconsin: $7.25
No minimum wage or under $7.25/hour
Alabama
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
South Carolina
Tennessee
Wyoming