19 States Raise Minimum Wage in 2026: What Workers Need to Know

• Author: Alicia Cole
• Posted: 2026-01-05

At the start of 2026, workers in many parts of the United States received some good news: higher minimum wages.

More than 8.3 million people across the country will benefit from these changes, which are expected to add about $5 billion to workers’ paychecks this year, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
 

Which States Increased Their Minimum Wage?

A total of 19 states increased their minimum wage rates this year. Some of the notable changes include:
 

• Hawaii: The biggest jump, from $14 to $16 per hour.
• California: Up to $16.90 per hour.
• Arizona: Now at $15.15 per hour.
• New York: $17 per hour in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester; $16 in the rest of the state.
• Washington: Now the highest state minimum wage in the country at $17.13 per hour.

Other states with increases include Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Virginia.
 

Local Increases Are Also Making a Difference

In addition to state changes, some cities set even higher minimum wages to match local costs of living:
 

• Seattle: Now $21.30 per hour.
• Minneapolis: Now $16.37 per hour.

These cities and others are raising wages to help workers keep up with expensive living costs.
 

The Federal Minimum Wage Remains Unchanged

While many states and cities are raising their wages, the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour and hasn’t changed since 2009.

This means there is a big difference between what workers are paid across states, especially between those that have raised their minimum wage and those that still use the federal standard.
 

Why Are Wages Going Up?

State and local governments are increasing minimum wages to help people handle the higher cost of living, improve their ability to buy what they need, and support employees in areas like services, retail, and hospitality.

However, there is still a debate: Supporters believe these changes are necessary to keep up with rising prices, while some business groups worry about higher operating costs.
 

Moving Forward

These wage increases mark an important step toward supporting millions of American workers.

The conversation about fair wages and economic equality is expected to continue as more people push for a higher national minimum wage in the years ahead.

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