Mapped: Which States Are Raising the Minimum Wage in 2026—And Which Will Still Be at $7.25 an Hour

Core Insights - In 2026, 19 states will increase their minimum wage on January 1, with California implementing two increases, one at the start of the year and another on July 1 [3][9] - Three additional states—Alaska, Florida, and Oregon—will raise their minimum wages later in the year, effective either July 1 or September 1 [3][9] - A total of 20 states will continue to adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which has not changed since 2009, with a significant concentration of these states in the South [9][10] State-Level Changes - Four states—California, Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts—already have a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour, achieved through phased increases over several years [6] - Some states will not see changes in 2026 due to prior increases or inflation adjustments, reflecting a trend of gradual wage increases rather than abrupt changes [5][6] Local Adjustments - Numerous cities and counties will also raise their minimum wages in 2026, contributing to a diverse landscape of local pay standards across the country [7] - The National Employment Law Project (NELP) will provide a report detailing specific areas that are increasing their local minimum wages [7]