EMPLOYMENT LAW NEWS
How Many States Have a $15 Minimum Wage?
By GovDocs
Updated January 2026
As of January 1, 2026, 17 states (plus Washington, D.C.) have a minimum wage of at least $15, with several more states scheduled or indexed to reach that threshold in the coming years, making multistate wage compliance increasingly complex.
How Many States Have a $15 Minimum Wage in 2026?
As of Jan. 1, 2026, the answer is seventeen states plus Washington, D.C. have statewide minimum wages at or above $15 per hour, up from eleven states in 2025. And more states will join this growing group in 2026. Plus, other states will reach the $15 minimum wage in future years through scheduled increases. It’s also worth noting that several states currently have indexed rates, which will, barring new legislation, eventually bring them to the $15 threshold.
The information below — updated in Jan. 2026 — applies to standard rates for large employers. HR and compliance teams should also be sure to check their locations for applicable county and city figures, as well as industry-specific rates.
What States Have a $15 Minimum Wage?
That $15 figure is important. It represents the nationwide push for higher rates, highlighted by the Fight for $15 movement (though there have been pushes for a Fight for $20), as well as employers unilaterally deciding to make it their own minimum wage rate. As of Jan. 1, 2026, the states with at least a $15 minimum wage are:
- Arizona – $15.15
- California – $16.90 (California Minimum Wage in 2026)
- Colorado – $15.16
- Connecticut – $16.94
- Delaware – $15.00 (Delaware Minimum Wage to Increase, $15 in 2025)
- Hawaii – $16.00 (Hawaii Minimum Wage Increase)
- Illinois – $15.00
- Maryland – $15.00 (Maryland Minimum Wage Update)
- Maine – $15.10
- Massachusetts – $15.00
- Missouri – $15.00
- Nebraska – $15.00
- New Jersey – $15.92
- New York – Multiple New York minimum wage rates apply; all are at or over $16.00 (New York Minimum Wage: 2024 and Beyond)
- Oregon – Multiple Oregon minimum wage rates apply; two of the three rates are over $15.00 (Oregon Minimum Wage in 2025)
- Rhode Island – $16.00
- Washington – $17.13
- Washington, D.C. – $17.95 (included here for clarity)
Keep Informed
with GovDocs Employment Law News
States with Scheduled $15 Minimum Wage Rates
Alaska
Ballot Measure 1 passed during the 2024 General Election, and it creates new minimum wage, paid sick leave, and captive audience laws.
Under the new minimum wage schedule, Alaska’s minimum wage increases as follows:
July 1, 2026 – $14.00
July 1, 2027 – $15.00
Starting Jan. 1, 2028, Alaska’s minimum wage will be adjusted based on the regional CPI.
Florida $15 Minimum Wage
Following a voter-approved ballot referendum in November 2020, Florida will reach a $15.00 minimum wage on Sept. 30, 2026.
Because of the ballot measure, Florida saw its minimum wage increase twice in 2021. Then each year on Sept. 30, the standard minimum wage in Florida increases by $1.00.
Florida Minimum Wage Increase on September 30, 2025
Michigan
On Feb. 21, 2025, Michigan enacted Senate Bill 8, which made last minute changes to the state’s new minimum wage that was set to take effect the same day.
Michigan amended its minimum wage schedule as follows:
Jan. 1, 2026 – $13.73
Jan. 1, 2027 – $15.00
Jan. 1, 2028 – Adjusted by CPI-U
Senate Bill 8 also revises the tipped employee wage schedule so that it no longer phases out the tipped credit over the next several years. Instead, the tipped employee wage increases each year by a percentage of the minimum wage until it hits 50% in 2031.
States with Indexed Minimum Wage Rates
For reference, what is an indexed minimum wage rate?
An indexed minimum wage is a type of minimum wage that is automatically adjusted based on changes in certain economic indicators, such as inflation or the cost of living. This means that the minimum wage increases or decreases in line with these indicators, helping to maintain its relative value over time. By indexing the minimum wage, policymakers can reduce the volatility of minimum wage rates and ensure that workers’ wages keep pace with changes in the economy.
Below are states with indexing in effect, along with their standard minimum wage rate as of Jan. 1, 2026:
- Minnesota – $11.41
- Montana – $10.85
- Ohio – $11.00
- South Dakota – $11.85
- Virginia – $12.77
- Vermont – $14.42
Other State Minimum Wage Rates
Meanwhile, some states have minimum wage rates above the federal level but without plans to reach the $15 mark — neither through scheduled increases nor indexing. Those states are listed below, along with their current rates.
Arkansas – $11
New Mexico – $12
Nevada – $12
West Virginia – $8.75
Lastly, there are states that still go by the federal minimum wage. They are:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- New Hampshire
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Conclusion: How Many States Have a $15 Minimum Wage?
Managing minimum wage rates across multiple states is challenging. And that’s not even considering the dozens of cities and counties that have set their own rates in recent years. And with many states closing in on their final scheduled increases, compliance teams will have to move on to tracking indexed rates.
This blog was originally posted in September 2021. It has been updated with new information.
This Employment Law News blog is intended for market awareness only, it is not to be used for legal advice or counsel.
What is GovDocs?
GovDocs is a leading provider of employment law compliance solutions, empowering HR professionals to navigate complex, location-specific labor law postings, minimum wage requirements, and paid leave laws. GovDocs combines innovative technology with dedicated human-touch support to deliver worry-free compliance. Customers benefit from access to a centralized system, trusted resources, and expert employment law support they need, all in one place, to simplify compliance and protect their organization from risk. Trusted by over 35% of Fortune 500 companies, GovDocs focuses on comprehensive coverage of Federal, State, City, and County laws making employment law management seamless for organizations of all sizes. Join the evolution of employment law compliance here!
Have fewer than 30 locations?
The GovDocs Poster Store simplifies posting compliance for employers with less than 30 locations across all industries, offering a variety of posting products to meet your labor law compliance needs.
