What 19 states are getting a minimum wage increase?
Asked by: Dr. Oda Schuppe DVM | Last update: July 2, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (72 votes)
Nineteen U.S. states are increasing their minimum wage on or around January 1, 2026, with many adjusting for inflation and several reaching or exceeding a $15/hour rate. Washington leads at $17.13/hour, while Hawaii saw the largest jump to $16/hour.
What 19 states are increasing minimum wage in 2026?
States raising their minimum wage 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.
What 10 states have the highest minimum wage?
As of early 2026, the highest statewide minimum wages are concentrated in the Northeast and West Coast. Washington D.C. leads with the highest rate at $17.95 per hour, followed by states like New York, Connecticut, and California, all with rates exceeding $16 per hour.
What states are trying to raise the minimum wage?
States with a new minimum wage, effective Jan. 1, 2026
- Arizona: $15.15.
- California: $16.90.
- Colorado: $15.16.
- Connecticut: $16.94.
- Hawaii: $16.
- Maine: $15.10.
- Michigan: $13.73.
- Minnesota: $11.41.
What three states have the lowest minimum wage?
Three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour. In all eight of these states, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour generally applies.
19 States Will Get Minimum Wage Increases In 2017 | CNBC
Who gets paid $20 an hour in California?
Starting April 1, 2024, all “fast food restaurant employees” who are covered by the new law must be paid at least $20.00 per hour. Does an employer covered by the new law have to post a new minimum wage or Industrial Welfare Commissioner Order? Yes.
Is $70,000 a good salary in Michigan?
Yes, $70,000 is a very good salary in Michigan, comfortably exceeding the state's median household income of roughly $72,000 as of early 2026. It offers a high standard of living for individuals or couples, particularly outside high-cost areas like Ann Arbor or central Metro Detroit, allowing for comfortable housing, savings, and discretionary spending.
What is the lowest paid state in the US?
As of early 2026,20 states utilize the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, making them the lowest-wage states, including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming. While Georgia and Wyoming have listed state rates of $5.15, the federal $7.25 standard applies for most employees.
Did Trump raise the minimum wage?
President Donald Trump has not raised the federal minimum wage, which remains stagnant at $7.25 per hour. In fact, he revoked a prior executive order that had raised the minimum wage to $17.75 per hour for employees of federal contractors, resetting the allowable minimum for these workers to $13.30 per hour.
How much is 40 hours on minimum wage?
At the federal level (US), the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, resulting in a $𝟐𝟗𝟎 weekly gross income for a 40-hour week (7.25×40). This equals roughly $15,080 annually. Many states (e.g., California at $16.90/hr in 2026) have higher rates, requiring employers to pay the higher state or local minimum.
What is the new minimum wage likely to be in 2026?
The NLW rises by 4.1 per cent in April 2026 to £12.71. We expect this rate to stay ahead of changes in the cost of living up to March 2027 and therefore provide an increase in real terms for minimum wage workers. However, this real terms rise may be affected by the current conflict in the Middle East.
Who benefits from minimum wage increases?
A raise in the minimum wage predominantly benefits low-wage workers, precisely those most likely to put additional income directly back into the economy, kick starting a virtuous cycle of greater demand for goods and services, job growth, and increased productivity.
Where in the US is the minimum wage $20?
Certain areas of California and Washington offer a minimum wage of over $20 an hour.
Is $20 an hour a livable wage?
California. California's living wage is $19.41, or $40,371 a year for an individual. A family of four requires $27.42, or $101,378 a year.
What state has the best minimum wage?
As of early 2026, Washington state has the highest statewide minimum wage in the U.S., rising to $17.13 per hour. While Washington state holds the top spot for a state, Washington, D.C. boasts the highest rate in the country at $17.95 per hour.
How much is $70,000 a year per hour?
If you make $70,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $33.65.
How much does a single person need to live on?
In 2025, single working-age adults need a gross annual income of £30,500 to reach MIS, up from £28,000 in 2024. Working-age couples need £43,000 (£21,500 each) to have enough disposable income to reach MIS (£40,600, or £20,300 each, in 2024).