Understanding Minimum Wage Across the U.S. in May 2026

How much you earn per hour at a minimum wage job depends on where you live in the United States.

While the federal government sets the minimum wage at $7.25 per hour, many states have created their own rules that require employers to pay workers more.
 

States With the Highest Minimum Wages

Some areas of the country pay workers significantly more than the federal minimum. Here are the places with the highest minimum wages as of May 2026:

Washington, D.C. leads the nation at $17.95 per hour, followed by Washington State at $17.13 per hour. In New York, workers in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County earn at least $17.00 per hour, while the rest of the state has a minimum of $16.00 per hour.

Connecticut pays $16.94 per hour, and California follows closely at $16.90 per hour. Both Hawaii and Rhode Island have set their minimum wages at $16.00 per hour.

New Jersey requires employers to pay at least $15.92 per hour, and Colorado has a minimum wage of $15.16 per hour.

Other states paying $15.00 per hour or more include Arizona, Maine, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Nebraska.
 

States in the Middle

Several states have minimum wages between the federal rate and $15.00:
 

• Florida: $14.00 per hour
• Vermont: $14.42 per hour
• Michigan: $13.73 per hour
• Alaska: $13.00 per hour
• Virginia: $12.77 per hour
• Nevada: $12.00 per hour
• New Mexico: $12.00 per hour
• South Dakota: $11.85 per hour
• Minnesota: $11.41 per hour
• Arkansas: $11.00 per hour
• Ohio: $11.00 per hour (for larger employers)
• Montana: $10.85 per hour
• West Virginia: $8.75 per hour

 

States Still at $7.25

A large number of states continue to follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

These include Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
 

What This Means for Workers

If you're earning minimum wage, check your state's rules. Your employer must pay you whichever rate is higher—state or federal. In some cities and counties, local laws may require even higher pay than the state minimum.

-

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for instant updates and articles in your inbox.