Minimum wage hikes go into effect in 19 states — here’s where
The flipping of the calendar brought with it increases in the minimum wage in select states across the country.
Nineteen states increased their minimum wages on Jan. 1, raising earnings for more than 8.3 million workers (list of states at end of article). For the first time, there are more workers in states with a $15 or greater minimum wage than in states with the federal minimum of $7.25, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
In addition, 47 cities and counties raised their minimum wages, adding to the number of workers likely to get larger paychecks.
The state with the biggest increase in 2026 is Hawaii, where the minimum wage increased by $2 per house, rising from $14 to $16. Other states with minimum wage increases include Arizona, California, Michigan, New Jersey and New York.
With the 2026 increases, Washington maintains its position as the state with the highest minimum wage in the country, with workers receiving $17.20 per hour. New York City is next, at $17 per hour (the increase also applies to New York’s Long Island and Westchester.)
Below are the 19 states where the minimum wage per hour increased as of Jan. 1. (The minimum wage is also set to increase in three additional states — Florida, Alaska and Oregon — later this year. Also, California will enact a separate new minimum wage for health care workers.)
•Arizona
Raised to $15.50 (up from $14.70)
Tipped minimum: $12.15 (from $11.70)
•California
Raised to $16.90 (up from $16.50)
•Colorado
Raised to $15.16 (up from $14.81)
Tipped minimum wage: $12.14 (from $11.79)
•Connecticut
Raised to $16.94 (up from $16.35)
Tipped minimum wage: $6.38 (unchanged)
•Hawaii
Raised to $16 (up from $14)
Tipped minimum wage: $14.75 (from $12.75)
•Maine
Raised to $15.10 (from $14.65)
Tipped minimum wage: $7.55 (from $7.33)
•Michigan
Raised to $13.73 (from $12.48)
Tipped minimum wage: $5.49 (from $4.74)
•Minnesota
Raised to $11.41 (from $11.13)
•Missouri
Raised to $15 (from $13.75)
Tipped minimum wage: $7.50 (from $6.88)
•Montana
Raised to $10.85 (from $10.55)
•Nebraska
Raised to $15 (from $13.50)
Tipped minimum wage: $2.13 (unchanged)
•New Jersey
Raised to $15.92 (from $15.49)
Tipped minimum wage: $6.05 (from $5.62)
•New York
New York City, Long Island, and Westchester: Raised to $17 (from $16.50)
Tipped minimum wage: $11.35 (from $11)
Rest of state: Raised to $16 (from $15.50)
Tipped minimum wage: $10.65 (from $10.35)
•Ohio
Tipped minimum wage: $5.50 (from $5.35)
•Rhode Island
Raised to $16 (from $15)
Tipped minimum wage: $3.89 (no change)
•South Dakota
Raised to $11.85 (from $11.50)
Tipped minimum wage: $5.93 (from $5.75)
•Vermont
Raised to $14.42 (from $14.01)
Tipped minimum wage: $7.21 (from $7.01)
•Virginia
Raised to $12.77 (from $12.41)
Tipped minimum wage: $2.13 (unchanged)
•Washington
Raised to $17.13 (from $16.66). Employers may pay 14-and 15-year-old workers 85% of the minimum wage rate.