The minimum wage will increase to $11.41 an hour, starting in the new year.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Inflation is up and Minnesota is taking note, as the state will increase the minimum wage rate on Jan. 1, 2026.
The minimum wage will be $11.41 an hour starting in the new year for all employers. For workers under age 20, the 90-day training wage will increase to $9.31.
Employers are legally required to provide employees with a written notice of any changes to paychecks.
According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, between 1960 and 1981, the minimum wage in the state was equivalent to $12.68 an hour in today's dollars.
The Twin Cities have higher minimum wage laws than the rest of Minnesota: St. Paul requires large businesses to pay workers $15.97 an hour, small businesses to pay $15 and micro businesses to pay $13.25.
In Minneapolis, both small and large businesses are required to pay employees $15.97 an hour.
In the new year, Minnesota will also adopt changes to meal and rest break laws. Every four hours worked, employers must allow a paid rest break of at least 15 minutes. For employees working six or more consecutive hours, there must be an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes.
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