State Minimum Wage by State, 2026 (U.S. Department of Labor)
20 of 51 jurisdictions are at the $7.25 federal rate. The highest is District of Columbia at $17.95.
U.S. Department of Labor table, updated January 1, 2026 · Last updated October 5, 2026 · Download CSV
Why it matters for debt. Federal wage garnishment law protects pay up to 30 times the federal minimum wage each week. At $7.25 that is $217.50 a week. Some states set their own floor; see garnishment limits by state. Use the wage garnishment calculator for your pay.
| State | State minimum wage | Rate that applies to most covered workers | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | none | $7.25 | No state minimum wage law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Alaska | $13.00 | $13.00 | Scheduled to rise to $14.00 on July 1, 2026 (DOL) |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $15.15 | |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | $11.00 | |
| California | $16.90 | $16.90 | |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $15.16 | |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $16.94 | |
| Delaware | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| District of Columbia | $17.95 | $17.95 | |
| Florida | $14.00 | $14.00 | |
| Georgia | $5.15 | $7.25 | State rate is below the federal rate; federal $7.25 applies |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | $16.00 | |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Louisiana | none | $7.25 | No state minimum wage law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Maine | $15.10 | $15.10 | |
| Maryland | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| Michigan | $13.73 | $13.73 | Scheduled to rise to $15.00 on January 1, 2027 (DOL) |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | $11.41 | |
| Mississippi | none | $7.25 | No state minimum wage law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Missouri | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| Montana | $10.85 | $10.85 | |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| Nevada | $12.00 | $12.00 | |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $15.92 | |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $12.00 | |
| New York | $17.00 | $17.00 | |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $11.00 | |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Oregon | $15.05 | $15.05 | |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | $16.00 | |
| South Carolina | none | $7.25 | No state minimum wage law; federal $7.25 applies |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $11.85 | |
| Tennessee | none | $7.25 | No state minimum wage law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Texas | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Utah | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Vermont | $14.42 | $14.42 | |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $12.77 | |
| Washington | $17.13 | $17.13 | |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $8.75 | |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | $7.25 | Same as federal |
| Wyoming | $5.15 | $7.25 | State rate is below the federal rate; federal $7.25 applies |
How to read this
Rates are the basic hourly minimum shown in the Department of Labor's state table, which is dated January 1, 2026. When a state has no law, or its rate is below the federal rate, covered employers must pay the federal $7.25. Some cities and counties set higher local minimums, and some states have different rates for tipped or small-employer workers; those are not shown. Rates can change during the year, so check your state labor department before relying on a figure.
More research · Statute of limitations by state
Cite this page
Financialist Editorial Team. "State Minimum Wage by State, 2026 (U.S. Department of Labor)." Financialist, October 5, 2026. https://financialist.com/research/state-minimum-wage-2026
Free to quote with a link back.
Financialist Editorial Team. "State Minimum Wage by State, 2026 (U.S. Department of Labor)." Financialist, October 5, 2026. https://financialist.com/research/state-minimum-wage-2026
Free to quote with a link back.