What States Raise Minimum Wages in 2026? Here's the List

On Jan. 1, minimum wages rose in 19 states and 49 cities and counties, driven by inflation adjustments or previously approved increases. Another four states and 22 local jurisdictions plan wage hikes later in the year. By year's end, 79 jurisdictions will offer at least $15 per hour, and 57 will reach or surpass $17, according to the report.

Several states logged significant statewide wage increases at the start of the year. California’s minimum wage climbed from $15.50 to $16.50, while Washington’s rose from $16.28 to $17.13.

Arizona boosted its wage floor from $12 to $15.15. In New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, pay reached $17 an hour, with the rest of New York State now at $16.

Cities and counties are also driving minimum wages above state levels, especially in California and Washington.

Flagstaff, Arizona, made a notable move by eliminating its subminimum tipped wage on Jan. 1, raising all workers to a full minimum wage of $18.35 plus tips.

In California’s Bay Area, cities like Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and Redwood City boosted minimum wages to between $18.65 and $19.50 an hour, depending on location and employer size.

Seattle’s minimum wage jumped to $20.97, with nearby jurisdictions, including Renton, Everett, and King County, also implementing inflation-based increases.

More increases are also on the way later in 2026. Alaska’s minimum wage will rise from $11.73 to $14.00 on July 1, while Florida’s will jump from $13.00 to $15.00 on Sept. 30.

Oregon will also see an inflation-adjusted increase. In California, health care workers will receive additional midyear raises, with minimum wages ranging from $20 to $25 an hour, depending on the facility.

Although minimum wages rise in much of the country, eight states that already pay above the federal minimum wage will see no increases in 2026 due to the absence of automatic cost-of-living adjustments. Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, and West Virginia are all holding pay levels steady for this year, according to NELP.

Twenty states will continue to default to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour in 2026 as these states either lack their own minimum wage laws or have wage laws that match or fall below the federal standard. Most are located in the South, the report notes.

According to NELP, the rising costs of housing, food, and other essentials make higher wages vital for workers to keep up nationwide.