Minimum wage in the United States
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). States can set a higher rate, and when they do, workers are entitled to the higher one. Most states now pay more than $7.25. Five states (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee) have no state minimum wage law, so the federal rate applies. Georgia and Wyoming have a state rate of $5.15, but employers covered by the FLSA must pay $7.25.
The table shows each state's current rate, the cash wage for tipped workers, the next scheduled change with its date, and a link to an official source. Some states have more than one rate: New York pays more in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, Oregon has separate Portland-area and nonurban rates, and several states set rates by employer size. Some cities and counties set a higher local minimum.
Tipped workers
Federal law lets an employer pay a tipped employee a cash wage of at least $2.13 an hour if tips make up the rest. The tip credit can be at most $5.12 an hour, and if tips do not bring the worker to the full minimum, the employer must pay the difference. A tipped employee is one who customarily receives more than $30 a month in tips. States can require more: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington require the full minimum wage with no tip credit. See also the tip calculator.
When rates change
Most states adjust on January 1. D.C. and Oregon change on July 1, and Alaska's next raise, to $15.00, is on July 1, 2027. For January 1, 2027, announced rates include California at $17.40, Washington at $17.73, Michigan at $15.00, New Jersey at $16.48, Virginia at $13.75 and South Dakota at $12.30. New York announced no increase for that date, and Vermont had not yet announced a 2027 rate when we checked on October 17, 2026; we show it as not announced yet and never estimate it. Changes only reported by news outlets are marked. Each scheduled change appears next to the current rate with its increase, and the table and the calculator switch to it on its effective date, New York time.
Minimum wage changes on January 1, 2027
These state minimum wages are scheduled to rise on January 1, 2027, according to each state's labor department. Local minimum wages in some cities and counties are higher. The federal minimum wage stays at $7.25 an hour.
| State | 2026 | From Jan. 1, 2027 | Increase | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $15.15 | $15.65 | +$0.50 | Reported by news outlets; confirm on the state's page |
| California | $16.90 | $17.40 | +$0.50 | |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $15.71 | +$0.55 | |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $17.48 | +$0.54 | |
| Maine | $15.10 | $15.70 | +$0.60 | |
| Michigan | $13.73 | $15.00 | +$1.27 | |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | $11.87 | +$0.46 | |
| Montana | $10.85 | $11.20 | +$0.35 | |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $15.26 | +$0.26 | |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $16.48 | +$0.56 | Most employers; seasonal and small employers $16.25 |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $11.40 | +$0.40 | |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | $17.00 | +$1.00 | |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $12.30 | +$0.45 | |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $13.75 | +$0.98 | |
| Washington | $17.13 | $17.73 | +$0.60 |
- New York: no increase on January 1, 2027, because one of the law's "off-ramp" conditions was met. The rate stays $17.00 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester and $16.00 in the rest of the state. The governor has proposed a change that, if the State Legislature approves it, would raise the rates on March 1, 2027.
- Missouri: stays at $15.00. A 2025 law ended the yearly inflation increases that were to start in 2027.
- Vermont: the 2027 rate had not been announced when we checked on November 4, 2026. We add it when the state publishes it.
Overtime
Under the FLSA, a worker who is not exempt must be paid at least one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. The rule is weekly: each workweek stands alone, and hours cannot be averaged across weeks. Federal law has no daily overtime, and it adds no premium for Saturdays, Sundays or holidays unless the hours go over 40.
Some states add rules of their own. California requires overtime for more than 8 hours in a workday, and double time beyond 12. Alaska and Nevada have daily overtime rules with exceptions, and Colorado requires overtime after 12 hours in a day. The calculator uses only the federal weekly rule and shows a note for these four states instead of computing their daily rules.
Using the calculator
Pick a state, choose the regional rate if the state has more than one, and the hourly rate fills in. Enter regular and overtime hours per week to see gross pay for a week, two weeks, a month and a year, before taxes. For taxes and deductions, use the paycheck calculator.
How we keep the table current
We checked the rates on October 17, 2026. The Department of Labor's state table was last updated on July 1, 2026, so where a state has announced a newer rate we use the state's own page. We recheck the table around January and July. Exceptions exist for students, minors, trainees and small businesses, so confirm a rate with your state labor department. This page is general information, not legal or payroll advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the federal minimum wage, and when does a state rate apply instead?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. If your state sets a higher minimum, the higher rate applies to you. If the state rate is lower, as in Georgia and Wyoming, employers covered by the FLSA still pay $7.25.
How much can an employer pay a tipped worker?
Federal law allows a cash wage of $2.13 an hour with a tip credit of up to $5.12, as long as tips bring the worker up to at least $7.25. Many states require a higher cash wage, and seven states require the full minimum wage with no tip credit. The table lists the tipped cash wage for each state where we could confirm it.
Is overtime paid for more than 8 hours a day or for weekends?
Under federal law, no. Overtime at 1.5 times your rate starts after 40 hours in a workweek, and weekends or holidays earn no premium unless the hours go over 40. California, Alaska, Nevada and Colorado also have daily overtime rules. This calculator does not compute them, so use your state labor department's guidance.