States with the lowest minimum wage, 2026

General minimum wage for most employers on October 1, 2026, lowest first. In 7 states the federal floor of $7.25 applies, because the state sets no minimum or one below it.

Lowest

$7.25

Alabama and 19 more

Highest

$18.40

District of Columbia

Spread

$11.15

an hour between top and bottom; the top rate is 2.5× the bottom

Ranking · 51 jurisdictions

Lowest first

State rate Federal floor applies Federal $7.25

States with the lowest minimum wage, 2026, with the rate, since when it applies and the next scheduled change.
Rank	State	Per hour	Since	Next change
1	Alabama Federal floorSince July 24, 2009 Source The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	Georgia Federal floorSince July 24, 2009 Source The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	IdahoSince July 24, 2009 Source: Idaho Code § 44-1502 44-1502. Minimum wages. (1) Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, no employer shall pay to any of his employees any wages computed at a rate of less than seven dollars and twenty-five cents ($7.25) per hour for employment. The amount of the minimum wage shall conform to, and track with, the federal minimum wage. Source statute snapshot October 1, 2026 Notes Idaho Code § 44-1502(1); the rate conforms to and tracks the federal minimum wage. Verified October 1, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	IndianaSince July 24, 2009 Source: Ind. Code § 22-2-2-4 Both the federal and Indiana state minimum wage increased from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour, effective July 24, 2009. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	IowaSince January 1, 2008 Source: Iowa Code § 91D.1 1. a. The state hourly wage shall be at least $6.20 as of April 1, 2007, and $7.25 as of January 1, 2008. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Iowa's $7.25 took effect Jan 1, 2008, before the federal rate reached $7.25. Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	January 1, 2008	—
1	KansasSince January 1, 2010 Source: K.S.A. 44-1203 (2) on and after January 1, 2010, employee wages shall be paid at a rate of not less than $7.25 an hour. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Subsection (c): section does not apply to employers and employees covered by the FLSA. Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	January 1, 2010	—
1	KentuckySince July 1, 2009 Source: KRS 337.275 and not less than seven dollars and twenty -five cents ($7.25) an hour beginning July 1, 2009. Source statute snapshot October 1, 2026 Notes KRS 337.275(1). The state rate rises automatically to any higher federal minimum wage. Verified October 1, 2026	$7.25	July 1, 2009	—
1	Louisiana Federal floorSince July 24, 2009 Source The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	Mississippi Federal floorSince July 24, 2009 Source The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	New HampshireSince July 24, 2009 Source Unless otherwise provided by statute, no person, firm or corporation shall employ any employee at an hourly rate lower than that set forth in the federal minimum wage law, which is $7.25. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes New Hampshire adopts the federal minimum wage by reference (RSA 279 minimum wage law). The page states the $7.25 figure but no date; 2009-07-24 is the effective date of the federal $7.25 rate (FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)(C), dataset source us-dol-minimum-wage) that the statute incorporates. Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	North CarolinaSince July 24, 2009 Source The minimum wage in North Carolina is currently $7.25 an hour. Employers doing business in North Carolina are required to pay at least $7.25 per hour to all employees (agricultural and domestic employees are subject to the federal minimum wage). Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Effective date not stated on the page. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 95-25.3(a) adopts the FLSA rate when higher than $6.15; the FLSA rate became $7.25 on July 24, 2009 (us-dol-minimum-wage). Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	North DakotaSince July 24, 2009 Source: N.D. Admin. Code ch. 46-02-07 MINIMUM WAGE RATE: North Dakota does not have a Training Wage. $7.25 per hour on 7/24/09 Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	OklahomaSince July 24, 2009 Source 1. What is the current minimum wage? The Oklahoma minimum wage is equal to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	PennsylvaniaSince July 24, 2009 Source $7.25 per hour Effective July 24, 2009 Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Minimum Wage Act as amended by Act 2006-112 (state rate follows the federal rate). Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	South Carolina Federal floorSince July 24, 2009 Source The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	Tennessee Federal floorSince July 24, 2009 Source The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	TexasSince July 24, 2009 Source Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. (Effective July 24, 2009) Source agency page snapshot October 1, 2026 Notes Tex. Lab. Code § 62.051 adopts the federal minimum wage under the FLSA. Verified October 1, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	UtahSince July 24, 2009 Source The Utah minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Minor employees (under 18 years of age) may be paid $4.25 per hour, as a training wage, for the first 90 days of employment. Employees receiving tips of at least $30.00 per month may be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, if the total of the cash wage and the tips total at least $7.25 per hour. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	WisconsinSince July 24, 2009 Source: Wis. Admin. Code DWD 272.03 Wisconsin Minimum Wage Rates Effective July 24, 2009 (Wis. Stat. ch. 104) General Minimum Wage Rates Non-Opportunity Employees: Opportunity Employees: $7.25 per Hour $5.90 per Hour Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
1	Wyoming Federal floorSince July 24, 2009 Source The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$7.25	July 24, 2009	—
21	West VirginiaSince January 1, 2016 Source As of January 1, 2016, the state minimum wage is $8.75 per hour. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$8.75	January 1, 2016	—
22	MontanaSince January 1, 2026 Source Pursuant to §39-3-409 MCA, Montana’s Minimum Wage will increase to $10.85 per hour effective January 1, 2026. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$10.85	January 1, 2026	—
23	ArkansasSince January 1, 2021 Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 11-4-210 Effective January 1, 2021, the minimum wage in Arkansas is $11.00 per hour. The Arkansas Minimum Wage Act covers employers with 4 or more employees. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$11.00	January 1, 2021	—
23	OhioSince January 1, 2026 Source: Ohio Const. art. II, § 34a; Ohio Rev. Code § 4111.02 2026 MINIMUM WAGE www.com.ohio.gov Mike DeWine Governor Jim Tressel Lt. G overnor Sherry Maxfield Director NON-TIPPED EMPLOYEES A Minimum Wage of $11.00 per hour Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Rate stated as 'A Minimum Wage of $11.00 per hour' under NON-TIPPED EMPLOYEES; poster title gives only the year. Art. II § 34a adjusts on January 1. Verified September 26, 2026	$11.00	January 1, 2026	—
25	MinnesotaSince January 1, 2026 · $11.87 on January 1, 2027 Source: Minn. Stat. § 177.24 As of Jan. 1, 2025, the Minnesota statewide minimum wage is $11.13 for all employers and the 90-day training wage is $9.08 for workers under age 20. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the state minimum wage will increase to $11.41 and the training wage will increase to $9.31, reflecting a 2.5% inflation increase for both rates. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$11.41	January 1, 2026	$11.87January 1, 2027
26	South DakotaSince January 1, 2026 Source: S.D. Codified Laws § 60-11-3 The minimum wage for non-tipped employees in South Dakota is $11.85/hour. (Effective Jan. 1, 2026.) Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$11.85	January 1, 2026	—
27	NevadaSince July 1, 2024 Source Assembly Bill 456, passed in 2019, increased the minimum wage in increments of 75 cents annually over a five-year period. The final increase effective July 1, 2024, will bring Nevada’s minimum wage to $12 per hour. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Single rate for all employees from July 1, 2024 (two-tier health benefit system eliminated by Ballot Question 2, 2022). Verified September 26, 2026	$12.00	July 1, 2024	—
27	New MexicoSince January 1, 2023 Source: NMSA 1978, § 50-4-22 (5) on and after January 1, 2023, at least twelve dollars ($12.00) an hour Source statute snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes NMSA 1978 § 50-4-22(A), as amended by Laws 2019, ch. 114. Verified September 27, 2026	$12.00	January 1, 2023	—
29	VirginiaSince January 1, 2026 · $13.75 on January 1, 2027 Source: Va. Code § 40.1-28.10 B. From January 1, 2026, until January 1, 2027, every employer shall pay to each of its employees wages at a rate not less than the greater of (i) $12.77 per hour or (ii) the federal minimum wage. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$12.77	January 1, 2026	$13.75January 1, 2027
30	MichiganSince January 1, 2026 · $15.00 on January 1, 2027 Source Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage rate is $13.73 per hour. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Step of the Senate Bill 8 schedule (effective Feb. 21, 2025) that raises the rate to $15 by 2027. Verified September 26, 2026	$13.73	January 1, 2026	$15.00January 1, 2027
31	AlaskaSince July 1, 2026 · $15.00 on July 1, 2027 Source: AS 23.10.065 (2) Eﬀective July 1, 2026, the minimum wage shall be $14.00 per hour; Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$14.00	July 1, 2026	$15.00July 1, 2027
32	VermontSince January 1, 2026 Source Beginning January 1, 2026, the State’s minimum wage will increase from $14.01 to $14.42 per hour - an increase of $0.41. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$14.42	January 1, 2026	—
33	Oregon 3 regionsSince July 1, 2026 Source $14.55 per hour - Non-urban Baker, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler Counties Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$14.55to $16.80	July 1, 2026	—
34	DelawareSince January 1, 2025 Source: 19 Del. C. § 902 (a) Except as may otherwise be provided under this chapter, every employer shall pay to every employee in any occupation wages of a rate: (1) Not less than $9.25 per hour until January 1, 2022; (2) Not less than $10.50 per hour effective January 1, 2022; (3) Not less than $11.75 per hour effective January 1, 2023; (4) Not less than $13.25 per hour effective January 1, 2024; (5) Not less than $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2025. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$15.00	January 1, 2025	—
34	FloridaSince September 30, 2026 Source: Fla. Const. art. X, § 24 Effective September 30th, 2021, the existing state Minimum Wage shall increase to $10.00 per hour, and then increase each September 30th thereafter by $1.00 per hour, until the Minimum Wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30th, 2026. Source ballot text snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Amendment 2 (2020) final step. From September 30, 2027 a CPI-W adjustment is calculated each year and takes effect the following January 1. Verified September 26, 2026	$15.00	September 30, 2026	—
34	IllinoisSince January 1, 2025 Source Beginning January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Illinois is $15.00 per hour for those individuals who are 18 years and older. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$15.00	January 1, 2025	—
34	MarylandSince January 1, 2024 Source: Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 3-413 Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State minimum wage rate is: (i) for the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2023, $13.25 per hour; and (ii) beginning January 1, 2024, $15.00 per hour. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$15.00	January 1, 2024	—
34	MassachusettsSince January 1, 2023 Source Effective January 1, 2023, minimum wage has increased to $15.00. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Final step of the St. 2018, c. 121 ('Grand Bargain') schedule; no later increase is scheduled. Verified September 26, 2026	$15.00	January 1, 2023	—
34	MissouriSince January 1, 2026 Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 290.502 3. Except as may be otherwise provided pursuant to sections 290.500 to 290.530, and notwithstanding subsection 1 of this section, effective January 1, 2025, every employer shall pay to each employee wages at the rate of not less than $13.75 per hour, or wages at the same rate or rates set under the provisions of federal law as the federal minimum wage applicable to those covered jobs in interstate commerce, whichever rate per hour is higher. Thereafter, the minimum wage established by this subsection shall be increased by $1.25 per hour, to $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Proposition A (Nov 5, 2024). H.B. 567 (2025) removed later CPI indexing; no further step in current text. Verified September 26, 2026	$15.00	January 1, 2026	—
34	NebraskaSince January 1, 2026 Source: Official Report of the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers, General Election, November 8, 2022 Initiative Measure 433 Shall the Nebraska statute establishing a minimum wage for employees be amended to increase the state minimum wage from nine dollars ($9.00) per hour to ten dollars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour on January 1, 2023, to twelve dollars ($12.00) per hour on January 1, 2024, to thirteen dollars and fifty cents ($13.50) per hour on January 1, 2025, and to fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour on January 1, 2026, to be adjusted annually thereafter to account for increases in the cost of living? County For Against Total 386,756 272,603 Source ballot text snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Initiative 433 schedule; approved by voters Nov 8, 2022 (For 386,756, Against 272,603). Verified September 26, 2026	$15.00	January 1, 2026	—
41	MaineSince January 1, 2026 · $15.70 on January 1, 2027 Source Effective Date \| State Minimum Wage \| Minimum Direct Service Wage \| Maximum Tip Credit \| 1/1/2027 \| $15.70 \| $7.85 \| $7.85 \| 1/1/2026 \| $15.10 \| $7.55 \| $7.55 \| Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$15.10	January 1, 2026	$15.70January 1, 2027
42	ArizonaSince January 1, 2026 Source In 2016, voters approved Proposition 206 which increased Arizona's hourly minimum wage in four stages from $10.00 in 2017, to $12.00 by 2020 and implemented annual, cost-of-living increases based on the CPI (Proposition 202 and 206; A.R.S. § 23-363). According to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA), the state minimum wage in 2026 is set at $15.15 an hour Source agency page snapshot September 27, 2026 Notes State rate set by the Industrial Commission of Arizona each January 1 under A.R.S. § 23-363(B) (CPI-U, August over August); figure as reported by Arizona Senate Research Staff. Verified September 27, 2026	$15.15	January 1, 2026	—
43	ColoradoSince January 1, 2026 Source: 7 CCR 1103-14 (2026 PAY CALC Order) Minimum Pay Level in COMPS Order Rule 2026 Level (Yearly Calculation) Future Annual Adjustments (A) Full Colorado minimum wage (R. 3.1) $15.16 per hour Last year’s minimum adjusted by CPI (Consumer Price Index) for Colorado Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$15.16	January 1, 2026	—
44	New JerseySince January 1, 2026 · $16.48 on January 1, 2027 Source Date Most Employers Seasonal & Small Employers (fewer than 6) Agricultural Employers Cash for Tipped Workers Wage for Long-Term Care Facility Direct Care Staff January 1, 2020 $11 $10.30 $10.30 $3.13 $11; $14 as of 11/1/20 January 1, 2021 $12 $11.10 $10.30 $4.13 $15 January 1, 2022 $13 $11.90 $11.05 $5.13 $16 January 1, 2023 $14.13 $12.93 $12.01 $5.26 $17.13 January 1, 2024 $15.13 $13.73 $12.81 $5.26 $18.13 January 1, 2025 $15.49 $14.53 $13.40 $5.62 $18.49 January 1, 2026 $15.92 $15.23 $14.20 $6.05 $18.92 Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$15.92	January 1, 2026	$16.48January 1, 2027
45	HawaiiSince January 1, 2026 · $18.00 on January 1, 2028 Source $16.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2026 Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Scheduled by Act 114 (2022), HRS § 387-2. Verified September 26, 2026	$16.00	January 1, 2026	$18.00January 1, 2028
45	New YorkSince January 1, 2026 Source Remainder of state (outside of New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties): $9.70 per hour on and after December 31, 2016; $10.40 per hour on and after December 31, 2017; $11.10 per hour on and after December 31, 2018; $11.80 per hour on and after December 31, 2019; $12.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2020; $13.20 per hour on and after December 31, 2021; $14.20 per hour on and after December 31, 2022; $15.00 per hour on and after January 1, 2024; $15.50 per hour on and after January 1, 2025; $16.00 per hour on and after January 1, 2026. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Remainder of state (outside New York City and Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties). Verified September 26, 2026	$16.00	January 1, 2026	—
45	Rhode IslandSince January 1, 2026 · $17.00 on January 1, 2027 Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-12-3 (p) Commencing January 1, 2026, the minimum wage is sixteen dollars ($16.00) per hour. Source statute snapshot October 1, 2026 Verified October 1, 2026	$16.00	January 1, 2026	$17.00January 1, 2027
48	CaliforniaSince January 1, 2026 · $17.40 on January 1, 2027 Source Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage is $16.90 per hour for all employers, not otherwise covered by a higher minimum wage specific to an industry or a locality. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes DIR FAQ Q1 (page dated December 2025); also the last row of the FAQ table. Lab. Code 1182.12(c) CPI-W adjustment. Verified September 26, 2026	$16.90	January 1, 2026	$17.40January 1, 2027
49	ConnecticutSince January 1, 2026 · $17.48 on January 1, 2027 Source Governor Ned Lamont today announced that beginning on January 1, 2026, Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase from the current rate of $16.35 per hour to $16.94 per hour. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Indexed to the employment cost index (ECI), not CPI; +3.6% for the 12 months ending June 30, 2025. Verified September 26, 2026	$16.94	January 1, 2026	$17.48January 1, 2027
50	WashingtonSince January 1, 2026 Source January 1, 2026 \| $17.13 \| Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$17.13	January 1, 2026	—
51	District of ColumbiaSince July 1, 2026 Source Beginning July 1, 2026, the minimum wage in the District of Columbia will increase from $17.95 per hour to $18.40 per hour for all workers, regardless of size of employer. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Verified September 26, 2026	$18.40	July 1, 2026	—

7 states

Where the federal floor applies

Employers covered by federal law pay the higher of the federal and state minimums.

AlabamaNo state minimum wage on record
GeorgiaNo state minimum wage on record
LouisianaNo state minimum wage on record
MississippiNo state minimum wage on record
South CarolinaNo state minimum wage on record
TennesseeNo state minimum wage on record
WyomingNo state minimum wage on record

Federal floor $7.25 since July 24, 2009.

Source

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.

Source: agency page
snapshot: September 26, 2026

Verified September 26, 2026

Also

Other views

RankingStates with the highest minimum wage, 2026 RankingTipped minimum wage by state, 2026 ScheduleUpcoming minimum wage increases