Happy New Year!

As 2026 begins, millions of workers across the United States are already seeing higher paychecks thanks to state minimum wage increases that took effect on January 1. In a major milestone, 19 states raised their minimum wage rates, boosting the earnings of over 8.3 million workers and putting an estimated $5 billion more into working-class pockets this year (EPI).

These increases reflect an ongoing effort by states to address affordability challenges and rising living costs—while the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009 (USDOL), a rate that advocates and economists widely regard as outdated (NELP).

What’s Changing in 2026

Across the country, a wide range of new minimum wage floors have kicked in or been indexed to inflation:

Arizona – $15.15

California – $16.90

Colorado – $15.16

Connecticut – $16.94

Hawaii – $16.00

Maine – $15.10

Michigan – $13.73

Minnesota – $11.41

Missouri- $15.00

Montana – $10.85

New Jersey – $15.92

New York – $16.00 ($17 in New York City, Long Island, Westchester)

Ohio – $11.00

Rhode Island – $16.00

Vermont – $14.42

Virginia – $12.77

Why This Matters for Workers

Minimum wage laws are not just numbers on paper—they represent real increases in take-home income, especially for workers in service, retail, hospitality, home care, and other traditionally low-wage jobs. For many families, even a small hourly increase can mean more money for essentials like housing, food, healthcare, and transportation.

EPI notes that these state increases also level the playing field and make for a more equitable economy overall. Their analysis shows that:

• Women make up the majority (58.1%) of affected workers.
• Black and Hispanic workers will disproportionately benefit. 10.7% of affected workers are Black, despite being 8.7% of the workforce in these states. Meanwhile, 38.3% of affected workers are Hispanic, despite being 19.8% of the overall workforce in these states.
• The vast majority (87.4%) of affected workers are adults, not teenagers.
• A quarter (25.3%) of affected workers are parents. 4.8 million children live in households with at least one worker receiving a pay increase.
• Nearly half (49.4%) are full-time workers and 41.4% have at least some college education.
• More than one in five (21.0%) affected workers have household incomes below the poverty line and 48.8% are within 200% of the poverty line.

What Workers Should Do Now

Even with new laws in place, the benefits only matter if employers comply! Here’s how workers can protect their rights and ensure they receive the pay they’re owed:

1. Know your state or local minimum wage. Wage rates vary widely by location—and some cities or counties have laws or ordinances that even go beyond state minimums. For example, the NY minimum wage is $16, but for New York City, and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties, it is $17.
2. Check your pay stubs. If you are in a state where the hourly rate increased on January 1, but your pay hasn’t changed on January 1 as required, that’s a red flag.
3. Ask your employer. Sometimes employers make honest mistakes; bringing it up politely could lead to correction.
4. Document discrepancies. Keep records of your hours worked, your wage rate, and save your paychecks or stubs.
5. Reach out for help. If you think you are being underpaid or misclassified, or you believe your employer is violating the law, contact your state labor department or reach out to us at Getman, Sweeney & Dunn for a free, confidential consultation.

Taking Action Together

Minimum wage increases are a major step forward, but worker enforcement is essential to hold employers accountable. For more information about state and local campaigns to increase wages, please visit the National Employment Law Project website here.

Written by James Sherwood