Calculators
2026 Minimum Wage by State
Pick your state to see the 2026 minimum wage, the tipped cash wage, and the overtime, final-paycheck and break rules that go with it.
2026 state minimum and tipped wages
2026 minimum wage
$16.90/hr
Many CA cities are higher (e.g. West Hollywood, Emeryville); fast-food chains are $20.00 and some healthcare employers higher.
Tipped cash wage
No tip credit
Full minimum wage paid in cash before tips.
Overtime
Daily over 8 hrs + 40/wk
California requires 1.5× over 8 hours/day and over 40/week.
Final paycheck (fired)
Immediately, at the time of termination
Meal break
30-min unpaid meal for shifts over 5 hrs; 2nd meal over 10 hrs
Rest break
10-min paid rest per 4 hrs worked
General guidance for California, current for 2026. Local ordinances and industry rules vary, so confirm with your state labor department before relying on this for payroll or a legal decision.
Notes
- The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Thirty states plus DC are higher.
- Many cities and counties set a higher local minimum than their state, so confirm your locality.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the highest minimum wage in 2026?
Washington, D.C. at $17.95/hour, followed by Washington State ($17.13) and Connecticut ($16.94).
Can my city's minimum wage be higher than my state's?
Yes. Cities like Seattle, Denver, New York City, West Hollywood and many others set higher local minimums. The highest applicable rate is the one that applies to you.
Guides that explain the rules
- 2026 Minimum Wage by State: The Complete List Every state's 2026 minimum wage, from the $7.25 federal floor up to $17.95 in Washington, D.C., plus which states raised pay in January and which raise it mid-year.
- Tipped Minimum Wage and the Tip Credit, Explained How the tip credit works, the $2.13 federal tipped wage, the seven states that ban tip credits, and how to check whether your tips are actually making up the difference.
- Tip Pooling Rules: Who Can Share Your Tips (and Who Can't) Federal tip pooling rules for 2026: how the tip credit changes who can join the pool, why managers and owners are banned, and when back-of-house can share tips.