By

Sabrina Karl

Published December 23, 2025

07:00 AM EST

• In 2026, 19 states will raise their minimum wage on January 1, and three others will make an increase later in the year.
• Eight states already have a higher minimum wage and won’t raise pay in 2026, after reaching earlier targets or tying increases to inflation.
• Twenty states—half of them in the South—are still at the federal $7.25 minimum wage, which has not increased since 2009.

States Raising the Minimum Wage in 2026

For workers in many states, 2026 will bring a higher minimum wage, though the timing isn’t the same everywhere. Most of the states making changes will boost pay beginning New Year’s Day, while a smaller group has increases scheduled for later in the year.1

In total, 19 states are set to raise their minimum wage on January 1, reflecting either scheduled increases or inflation-based adjustments. California stands out for making two changes in 2026, with an increase at the start of the year followed by another on July 1. Three other states—Alaska, Florida, and Oregon—will raise their minimum wages later in the year, with increases taking effect on either July 1 or September 1.

Where you live still plays a major role in how much you can be paid at the lowest end of the labor market. Our map shows whether your state is set to raise pay in 2026, already has higher wages, or remains at the federal $7.25 floor.

States That Already Have Higher Minimum Wages

Some states won’t see minimum wage changes in...

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