Is your state raising its minimum wage in 2026? Here’s the list.

As the cost of living continues to rise across the United States, many states are taking action to raise the minimum wage for their workers. According to a recent report from the National Employment Law Project (NELP), almost two dozen states are set to increase their minimum wage in 2026, providing a much-needed pay bump for American workers.

In total, 88 jurisdictions, including 22 states and 66 cities and counties, are planning to raise their minimum wage at some point in 2026. The majority of these locations will see their wage floor reach or exceed $15.00 per hour, which is double the federal minimum wage of $7.25. This increase comes at a crucial time when many workers are struggling to cover basic necessities.

While the federal minimum wage has remained stagnant at $7.25 since 2009, states and municipalities have taken matters into their own hands by implementing their own wage increases through ballot measures and legislation. These changes are seen as a way to combat inflation, which continues to be a challenge for many Americans despite cooling off since 2022.

The bulk of the wage increases went into effect on January 1, 2026. For example, New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County saw their minimum wage rise to $17.00 at the start of the year. Other states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington State also saw increases in their minimum wage.

Looking ahead, states like Alaska, Florida, and Oregon are expected to implement minimum wage increases later in 2026, with amounts ranging from $14.00 to $16.30 depending on the location. On the other hand, some states like Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, and West Virginia already have minimum wages above $7.25 and will not see an increase in 2026.

States with a minimum wage of $7.25 include Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Georgia and Wyoming have a minimum wage of $5.15, which is superseded by the federal minimum wage.

Overall, the push to raise the minimum wage in various states reflects a growing recognition of the challenges faced by low-wage workers in today’s economy. By providing a higher wage floor, these states are working to ensure that all workers can afford to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.