January 2026 Minimum Wage Increases: Who Got a Raise
Nineteen states raised their minimum wage on January 1, 2026. See the new rates and what they mean for workers and employers.
On January 1, 2026, 19 states raised their minimum wage, lifting pay for millions of workers. Most increases are tied to inflation; a few came from ballot measures phasing toward $15 or higher.
Notable 2026 rates
Among the January increases: Arizona $15.15, California $16.90, Colorado $15.16, Connecticut $16.94, Missouri $15.00, Nebraska $15.00, New Jersey $15.92, Rhode Island $16.00 and Washington $17.13. Washington, D.C. remains highest at $17.95.
More raises later in 2026
Alaska rises to $14.00 on July 1, Florida to $15.00 on September 30, and Oregon and Nevada re-index mid-year. Check your state for the exact current figure and effective date.
What employers should do
If you employ workers in any state that raised its minimum, update payroll, re-check tipped-employee cash wages, and confirm exempt salaries still clear the threshold. The state pages and calculators here are built for exactly that.