San Antonio, TX, January 3, 2026
As of January 1, 2026, 19 U.S. states have raised their minimum wage rates, impacting over 8.3 million workers. This adjustment reflects a significant shift in the wage landscape, with many workers now earning at least $15 per hour compared to the unchanged federal minimum of $7.25 since 2009. States like California, New York, and Arizona are leading with rates above the federal level, addressing rising living costs and inflation to better support their workforce.
San Antonio, TX – Minimum Wage Increases Across Multiple States in 2026
New York City, NY – As of January 1, 2026, 19 U.S. states have implemented increases in their minimum wage rates, directly impacting over 8.3 million workers nationwide. This marks a significant shift, with more workers now earning at least $15 per hour than those earning the federal minimum of $7.25, which has remained unchanged since 2009.
Details of the Minimum Wage Increases
The following states have raised their minimum wage rates as of January 1, 2026:
- Arizona: $15.15 per hour (up from $14.70)
- California: $16.90 per hour (up from $16.50)
- Colorado: $15.16 per hour (up from $14.81)
- Connecticut: $16.94 per hour (up from $16.35)
- Hawaii: $16.00 per hour (up from $14.00)
- Maine: $15.10 per hour (up from $14.65)
- Michigan: $13.73 per hour (up from $12.48)
- Minnesota: $11.41 per hour (up from $11.13)
- Missouri: $15.00 per hour (up from $13.75)
- Montana: $10.85 per hour (up from $10.55)
- Nebraska: $15.00 per hour (up from $13.50)
- New Jersey: $15.92 per hour (up from $15.49)
- New York: $16.00 per hour (up from $15.50)
- Ohio: $11.00 per hour (up from $10.70)
- Rhode Island: $16.00 per hour (up from $15.00)
- South Dakota: $11.85 per hour (up from $11.50)
- Vermont: $14.42 per hour (up from $14.01)
- Virginia: $12.77 per hour (up from $12.41)
- Washington: $17.13 per hour (up from $16.66)
Implications of the Wage Increases
These wage hikes are expected to benefit over 8.3 million workers, with many now earning at least $15 per hour, surpassing the federal minimum wage of $7.25. This shift reflects a significant change in the wage landscape across the United States.
Background Context
The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009. In response to rising living costs and inflation, many states have implemented their own minimum wage increases to better support their workers. These state-level adjustments aim to provide workers with wages that more accurately reflect the current economic conditions and cost of living.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the federal minimum wage in the United States?
The federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour, a rate that has been unchanged since 2009.
Which states have increased their minimum wage as of January 1, 2026?
As of January 1, 2026, 19 states have increased their minimum wage rates. These states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
How many workers are affected by these minimum wage increases?
Over 8.3 million workers are expected to benefit from these minimum wage increases across the 19 states.
What is the significance of these wage increases?
These wage increases are significant because they mark a shift where more workers are earning at least $15 per hour than those earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which has remained unchanged since 2009.
Why have states implemented these minimum wage increases?
States have implemented these minimum wage increases in response to rising living costs and inflation, aiming to provide workers with wages that more accurately reflect the current economic conditions and cost of living.
Key Features of the Minimum Wage Increases
| State | New Minimum Wage (2026) | Previous Minimum Wage (2025) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $15.15 | $14.70 | $0.45 |
| California | $16.90 | $16.50 | $0.40 |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $14.81 | $0.35 |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $16.35 | $0.59 |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | $14.00 | $2.00 |
| Maine | $15.10 | $14.65 | $0.45 |
| Michigan | $13.73 | $12.48 | $1.25 |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | $11.13 | $0.28 |
| Missouri | $15.00 | $13.75 | $1.25 |
| Montana | $10.85 | $10.55 | $0.30 |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $13.50 | $1.50 |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $15.49 | $0.43 |
| New York | $16.00 | $15.50 | $0.50 |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $10.70 | $0.30 |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | $15.00 | $1.00 |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $11.50 | $0.35 |
| Vermont | $14.42 | $14.01 | $0.41 |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $12.41 | $0.36 |
| Washington | $17.13 | $16.66 | $0.47 |
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