How Many States Have a $15 Minimum Wage?

How many states have a $15 minimum wage? As of Jan. 1, 2023, the answer is just three — Washington ($15.74), California ($15.50), and Massachusetts ($15).

But that won’t be the case for long.

Several states have scheduled minimum wage increases to reach $15 an hour in the coming years. Plus, others have indexed rates, which will, however slowly, eventually bring them to the $15 threshold (barring new legislation).

The information below — updated February 2023 — applies to standard rates for large employers. HR and compliance teams should also be sure to check their locations for applicable county and city rates, which may be higher.

Minimum Wage Management. Simplified.

What states are going to $15 minimum wage?

In recent years, a handful of states have passed legislation that will eventually bring their standard rates to $15 an hour.

That $15 figure is important. It represents the nationwide push for higher rates, highlighted by the Fight for $15 movement, as well as employers opting to make it their own minimum wage rate.

Connecticut $15 Minimum Wage June 1, 2023

• Connecticut minimum wage will reach $15 on June 1, 2023, with indexing beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
• The state increased minimum wage to $14 on July 1, 2022.

Delaware $15 minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2025

• Minimum wage in Delaware will hit $15 on Jan. 1, 2025.
• The state passed a bill in July 2021 that provides for gradual increases, with the first taking effect at the start of 2022.
• As of Jan. 1, 2023, the standard minimum wage rate in Delaware is $11.75.

Florida $15 minimum wage on Sept. 30, 2026

• Following a voter-approved ballot referendum in November 2020, Florida will reach a $15 minimum wage Sept. 30, 2026.
• Because of the ballot measure, Florida saw its minimum wage increase twice in 2021. Effective Sept. 30, 2022, the standard minimum wage in Florida is $11.

Florida Minimum Wage: 2023 and Beyond

Hawaii’s minimum wage will gradually bring its standard rate to $18 in 2028

• Hawaii recently passed a new minimum wage that will gradually bring its standard rate to $18 in 2028.
• Hawaii will see gradual increases over the next several years until reaching that figure. (There is a separate rate for tipped employees.)
• As of Oct. 1, 2022, minimum wage in Hawaii is $12.

Illinois $15 minimum wage in 2025

• In Illinois, the state passed a law in 2019 to eventually bring minimum wage to $15 in 2025.
• The state is on a regular increase schedule, going up $1 each year on Jan. 1. Illinois’ standard minimum wage is $13, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Maryland $15 minimum wage in 2024

• Maryland passed a new minimum wage law in April 2023, which will bring the rate for all employers to $15 starting in 2024.

Nebraska will gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2026

Following a successful 2022 minimum wage ballot measure, we have a new state moving toward a $15 minimum wage.

In Nebraska, voters approved Initiative Measure 433, which amends the state’s minimum wage law and will gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026.

Nebraska will see a fairly aggressive increase schedule on Jan. 1 each year:

• 2023 – $10.50
• 2024 – $12
• 2025 – $13.50
• 2026 – $15

After that point, Nebraska’s minimum wage will be annually adjusted based on the applicable Consumer Price Index.

New Jersey $15 minimum wage in 2024

• In New Jersey, minimum wage for large employers reach at least $15 in 2024. Note: New Jersey minimum wage in 2023 increased more than initially expected due to significant increases in the Consumer Price Index.
• It is another state with scheduled increases in the coming years. In 2023, the minimum wage for large employers in New Jersey is $14.13.

Rhode Island $15 minimum wage in 2025

• In May 2021, Rhode Island passed a bill to bring minimum wage to $15 on Jan. 1, 2025.
• In 2023, minimum wage in Rhode Island is $13.

Virginia $15 minimum wage in 2026

• Virginia took the unique action in 2020 to delay a planned minimum wage increase due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
• Still, the state is on track to reach $15 on Jan. 1, 2026, with indexed rates in the succeeding years.
• Virginia minimum wage has scheduled increases until 2026, with the 2023 rate at $12.

Washington, D.C. minimum wage is $16.10 

• Including Washington, D.C., in our rundown of states moving to the $15 mark, we have the nation’s capital, which reached $15 on July 1, 2021.
• It has since surpassed that figure. Effective July 1, 2022, minimum wage in Washington, D.C., is $16.10, when D.C. began indexing its rate.
• The states listed above have plans for a $15 minimum wage or have already reached that mark.
• However, others have passed laws that include annual increases based on the consumer price index.

What is an Indexed Minimum Wage?

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.

States With Indexed Minimum Wage Rates

Below are states with indexing requirements, along with their standard minimum wage rate (or rate for large employers) as of July 1, 2022, or Jan. 1, 2023. Note that Oregon is a unique case.

• Alaska – In effect; current rate: $10.85
• Arizona – In effect; current rate: $13.85
• Colorado – In effect; current rate: $13.65
• Maine – In effect; current rate: $12.75
• Minnesota – In effect; current rate: $10.58
• Missouri – Effective Jan. 1, 2024; current rate: $12
• Montana – In effect; current rate: $9.95
• New York – In effect; current rate: $14.20
• Ohio – In effect; current rate: $10.10
• Oregon – Effective July 1, 2023; separate minimum wage rates depending on county population density
• South Dakota – In effect; current rate: $10.80
• Vermont – Effective Jan. 1, 2023; current rate: $13.18

Other State Minimum Wage Rates

Of course, 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 rate as of July 2022 or January 2023. (Note that some have scheduled increases in the coming years, and new legislation could always impact the numbers.)

• Arkansas – $11
• Hawaii – $10.10 (see above)
• Michigan – $10.10 (August 2022 update on Michigan minimum wage)
• New Mexico – $12
• Nevada – $10.50 (for employees not offered health benefits; $9.50 for those who are) BALLOT UPDATE
• West Virginia – $8.75

How many states are at federal minimum wage?

There are a number of 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

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.

Related Content: 

California Minimum Wage

State Minimum Wage Rates 2023

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.