Starting Jan. 1, 2026, minimum wage workers in 19 states will see a pay increase.
The raises affect more than 8.3 million workers, including those directly earning minimum wage and others who see a ripple effect increase further up the pay scale, according to Axios.
In addition to the states raising wages on Thursday, Florida, Alaska, and Oregon are set to increase their minimum wages later in 2026.
These increases mark a milestone in wage history: For the first time, more minimum wage workers are making $15 an hour or higher than those earning the federal minimum of $7.25.
Here’s a breakdown of state minimum wage increases effective immediately, based on state labor data:
- Arizona increasing from $14.70 to $15.15
- California increasing from $16.50 to $16.90
- Colorado increasing from $14.81 statewide to $15.16
- Connecticut increasing from $16.35 to $16.94
- Hawai‘i increasing from $14 to $16
- Maine increasing from $14.65 to $15.10
- Michigan increasing from $12.48 to $13.73
- Minnesota increasing from $11.13 to $11.41
- Missouri increasing from $13.75 to $16
- Montana increasing from $10.55 to $10.85
- Nebraska increasing from $13.50 to $15
- New Jersey increasing from $15.49 to $15.92
- New York increasing by 50 cents to $16 or $17. Increases vary based on profession and location.
- Ohio increasing from $10.70 to $11
- Rhode Island increasing from $15 to $16
- South Dakota increasing from $11.50 to $11.85
- Vermont increasing from $14.01 to $14.42
- Virginia increasing from $12.41 to $12.77
- Washington state increasing from $16.66 to $17.13
The minimum wage in Massachusetts has been $15 an hour since January 2023.
Formerly, Massachusetts had been among minimum wage leaders, but in the past couple of years has dropped to 13th place behind Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington state.
Massachusetts has the same minimum wage as Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri and Nebraska.
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