which states are raising minimum wage in 2026
For 2026, more than 20 U.S. states (plus Washington, D.C.) have scheduled or inflation-linked minimum wage increases, with most taking effect on January 1 and a few mid‑year.
Key 2026 minimum wage states
Most overviews agree that at least the following states are on track to raise their minimum wage sometime in 2026.
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
Timing highlights
Some states are not strictly January 1; they move later in the year or via automatic indexation.
- Alaska: scheduled increase on July 1, 2026.
- Florida: increase on September 30, 2026, by about 1 dollar toward a 15‑dollar hourly wage.
- Oregon: increase on July 1, 2026, amount tied to inflation and finalized closer to mid‑year.
Why this is trending now
Minimum wage hikes are a trending policy topic because the federal minimum has stayed at 7.25 dollars since 2009, so states and cities are driving most of the real changes.
- Worker advocates frame 2026 hikes as necessary to keep up with rent, food, and healthcare costs.
- Business groups and some local officials worry about higher labor costs, especially for small businesses and restaurants, and debate possible effects on hiring and prices.
Quick note on exact amounts
Exact 2026 dollar figures differ by state and are sometimes finalized closer to the effective date, especially where wages are indexed to inflation.
- Some states (like Hawaii, Michigan, Missouri, California, Washington) already have scheduled step increases toward or above 15 dollars per hour.
- Others (like Maine, Arizona, Vermont, Colorado, Ohio) use formula‑based cost‑of‑living adjustments that will set the final 2026 rate automatically.
Bottom note
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.