States Raising the Minimum Wage on January 1, 2027
Short answer: Fifteen states raise their minimum wage on January 1, 2027 (Colorado "in 2027"). Washington is highest at $17.73. Michigan has the largest dollar jump (+$1.27) and Michigan the largest percentage jump (+9.2%). Nebraska has the smallest raise (+$0.26).
Ranked by 2027 hourly rate
| # | State | 2026 | 2027 | Raise | % raise | Extra pay per year (full-time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $17.13 | $17.73 | +$0.60 | 3.5% | +$1,248 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $16.94 | $17.48 | +$0.54 | 3.2% | +$1,123 |
| 3 | California | $16.90 | $17.40 | +$0.50 | 3.0% | +$1,040 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $16.00 | $17.00 | +$1.00 | 6.3% | +$2,080 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $15.92 | $16.48 | +$0.56 | 3.5% | +$1,165 |
| 6 | Colorado | $15.16 | $15.71 | +$0.55 | 3.6% | +$1,144 |
| 7 | Maine | $15.10 | $15.70 | +$0.60 | 4.0% | +$1,248 |
| 8 | Arizonapartly verified | $15.15 | $15.65 | +$0.50 | 3.3% | +$1,040 |
| 9 | Nebraskapartly verified | $15.00 | $15.26 | +$0.26 | 1.7% | +$541 |
| 10 | Michigan | $13.73 | $15.00 | +$1.27 | 9.2% | +$2,642 |
| 11 | Virginia | $12.77 | $13.75 | +$0.98 | 7.7% | +$2,038 |
| 12 | South Dakota | $11.85 | $12.30 | +$0.45 | 3.8% | +$936 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $11.41 | $11.87 | +$0.46 | 4.0% | +$957 |
| 14 | Ohio | $11.00 | $11.40 | +$0.40 | 3.6% | +$832 |
| 15 | Montana | $10.85 | $11.20 | +$0.35 | 3.2% | +$728 |
Biggest raises, three ways
Largest dollar raise
- Michigan +$1.27
- Rhode Island +$1.00
- Virginia +$0.98
- Washington +$0.60
- Maine +$0.60
Largest percent raise
- Michigan +9.2%
- Virginia +7.7%
- Rhode Island +6.3%
- Minnesota +4.0%
- Maine +4.0%
Smallest dollar raise
- Nebraska +$0.26
- Montana +$0.35
- Ohio +$0.40
- South Dakota +$0.45
- Minnesota +$0.46
Why Michigan and Rhode Island jump the most
Most states in the table adjust by inflation, which produces raises of roughly 2–4%. Michigan and Rhode Island are different: their dollar amounts are set in statute. Michigan's law climbs to $15.00 in 2027 from $13.73, and Rhode Island's statute names $17.00 for 2027 after $16.00 in 2026. That is why those two rise by $1.27 and $1.00, far more than an inflation formula would give. Virginia's $0.98 raise is also larger than a typical inflation adjustment.
If you are a worker or an employer
- Workers: look for the new rate on your first January 2027 paycheck. If you earn slightly above the new minimum, ask whether your pay will adjust.
- Employers: update payroll before the first pay period of 2027. Several states also move overtime-exempt salary thresholds when the minimum rises (California to $72,384, Washington to $92,196 for employers with 51+ employees).
- Multi-state workers: the rate that applies is the one where the work is performed, and local rates can be higher.
Federal tax rules also changed for pay-related income: overtime premium, tips, and more. See the tax break savings calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the biggest minimum wage raise in 2027?
In dollars, Michigan has the largest increase at $1.27 an hour ($13.73 to $15.00), followed by Rhode Island ($1.00) and Virginia ($0.98). In percentage terms, Michigan leads at 9.2%.
Which states have the highest minimum wage in 2027?
Among the 15 states covered here: Washington ($17.73), Connecticut ($17.48), California ($17.40), Rhode Island ($17.00), New Jersey ($16.48).
Do all of these take effect on January 1?
Yes for the states whose agencies or statutes give that date. Colorado's agency says its new rate applies "in 2027" without specifying a day, and Colorado law ties adjustments to January 1.
Are there states that are not raising their wage?
Many states stay at the federal $7.25 or have no change on January 1. Florida's rate is $15.00 and, per the U.S. Department of Labor, its formula updates begin January 1, 2028. States that adjust on other dates, like the District of Columbia on July 1, are not on this list.
Where did these numbers come from?
Each rate comes from the state labor agency, governor's office, or statute linked on that state's page. Arizona's $15.65 is only partly verified (see its page).
Sources and citations
Every dollar figure on this page was checked against the official pages below on November 14, 2026. If an agency updates its guidance, the agency page controls.
- Washington L&I news release 26-17: Washington's minimum wage rises to $17.73 an hour in 2027 (Sept. 30, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated Nov. 5, 2026)
- Arizona: Industrial Commission of Arizona: Labor Department (2027 poster)
- California: California DIR news release 2026-66
- Colorado: Colorado CDLE press release (Aug. 13, 2026)
- Connecticut: Office of Governor Ned Lamont (Aug. 5, 2026)
- Maine: Maine DOL: New Minimum Wage Increases
- Michigan: Michigan LEO: Minimum Wage & Overtime
- Minnesota: Minnesota DLI news release (Aug. 19, 2026)
- Montana: Montana DLI: Montana's Minimum Wage
- Nebraska: Nebraska Department of Labor: Labor Standards
- New Jersey: NJ Department of Labor press release (Sept. 29, 2026)
- Ohio: Ohio Department of Commerce (Sept. 30, 2026)
- Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-12-3
- South Dakota: South Dakota DLR: Minimum Wage
- Virginia: Virginia DOLI: Minimum Wage Act fact sheet