These 22 states are raising their minimum wage in 2026

On Jan. 1, the minimum wage increased in 19 states and 49 cities and counties. In 60 of these jurisdictions, the minimum wage will reach or exceed $15 an hour for some or all employers. This includes three states and 40 localities where the minimum wage will be at least $17 an hour for some or all employers, according to an annual report from the National Employment Law Project, an employee advocacy group.

Later in 2026, an additional four states and 22 local jurisdictions will raise their minimum wage. Twenty-five of these areas will implement a minimum wage of $15 an hour or more for some or all employers. This includes one state and 17 local jurisdictions that will establish or exceed a minimum wage of $17 an hour for certain employers.

Which states are raising their minimum wage in 2026?

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington will lift the minimum wage on Jan. 1, according to the report.

Later in the year, Alaska, Florida and Oregon will act. California will enact a separate new minimum wage for health care workers.

How the states' minimum wages stack up

Florida, Alaska and Oregon will also raise their pay requirements later in 2026. The biggest increase is in Hawaii, which is raising its minimum wage by $2 an hour.

How many states are above the federal minimum wage?

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 and was implemented in 2009. In 2007, the U.S. federal minimum wage was increased for the first time in a decade through the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. It increased the minimum wage to $5.85 an hour effective July 24, 2007; $6.55 an hour effective July 24, 2008; and $7.25 an hour effective July 24, 2009.

Thirty states and Washington, DC, have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

Contributing: Andrea Riguier

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; National Employment Law Project; U.S. Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics