Minimum Wage by State Lookup

How minimum wage works: federal, state, and local floors

U.S. minimum wage is a layered system. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act sets a baseline of $7.25 per hour, a figure that has not moved since 2009. States can pass their own minimum wage law above that floor, and many have. Cities and counties can then go higher still, setting local ordinances that apply on top of the state rate.

The rule that ties it all together is straightforward: the highest applicable rate wins. If your state minimum is $15.00 and your city sets $17.00, you are owed $17.00. If your state has no minimum wage law, or one set below $7.25, covered employers must still pay the $7.25 federal rate. This lookup covers the state-level figure, so check your city or county for any local minimum.

2026 minimum wage increases and CPI-indexed states

About 22 states are raising their minimum wage during 2026. The increases fall into two groups. Legislated step increases are written into state law years in advance, moving the rate up a fixed amount on a set date. CPI-indexed states instead recalculate the rate each year based on inflation, so the figure changes automatically without new legislation.

Most 2026 increases took effect on January 1, but a few are scheduled for mid-year: Alaska and Oregon adjust on July 1, and Florida steps up to $15.00 on September 30. Because of these mid-year dates and annual indexing, the effective-date note in the results panel matters. Check whether your state has an increase coming before you plan around a rate.

Tipped minimum wage and the tip credit explained

Employers of tipped workers can often pay a lower direct cash wage, as long as tips make up the rest. Under federal law, the tipped cash wage is $2.13 per hour, and the gap between that and the full minimum wage ($5.12 federally) is the tip credit. Here is the protection that backstops it: if cash wage plus tips does not reach the full minimum wage for every hour worked, the employer has to pay the shortfall.

Seven One Fair Wage states do not allow a tip credit at all: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In those states, tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage in cash before any tips. Everywhere else, the tipped cash wage and tip credit vary widely by state, which is why this tool shows both figures.

How to use this lookup and verify your rate

Select your state from the dropdown to load its 2026 minimum wage, tipped cash wage, maximum tip credit, and how it compares to the $7.25 federal minimum. Toggle the tipped employee option to make the tipped cash wage the headline figure. Enter your weekly hours to see an estimated annual pay figure at the minimum wage.

Treat the results as a reference point rather than a final answer. Rates shift with inflation indexing, scheduled increases, employer size, and industry rules, and local ordinances can override the state figure. Confirm your exact rate with your state labor department and any city or county ordinance. Once you know your rate, the overtime calculator and regular rate of pay calculator can help you work out the rest of your pay.