Minimum wages to rise across U.S. in 2026
A new NELP report says minimum wages will increase in 22 states and 66 cities/counties in 2026, with changes taking effect in 19 states and 49 localities on January 1 and additional boosts in four states and 22 cities later in the year. Sixty jurisdictions will have at least a $15 minimum on Jan. 1, and some areas will hit $17 or more, including NYC/Long Island/Westchester at $17 and New Jersey long‑term care workers at $18.92, as many increases are indexed to inflation while the federal minimum remains $7.25.
📌 Key Facts
- On Jan. 1, 2026, minimum wages rise in 19 states and 49 cities/counties; additional four states and 22 cities follow later in 2026.
- Sixty jurisdictions will have at least a $15 minimum wage on Jan. 1; three states and 40 localities will reach or exceed $17 for some or all employers.
- Examples: NYC/Long Island/Westchester to $17; NJ long‑term care to $18.92; Hayward, CA large employers $17.79 ($16.90 small); Novato, CA tiers up to $17.73.
- Inflation indexing drives increases in 13 states and 44 localities; the federal minimum remains $7.25 (unchanged since 2009).
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, Black workers comprised 17% of the low-wage workforce (earning less than $16.98 per hour) compared to 14% of the overall workforce.
Who Is the Low-Wage Workforce? — WorkRise Network
In 2023, Latinx workers comprised 27% of the low-wage workforce (earning less than $16.98 per hour) compared to 18% of the overall workforce.
Who Is the Low-Wage Workforce? — WorkRise Network
In 2023, women made up more than half of the low-wage workforce, with a median hourly wage more than $4 lower than for men.
Who Is the Low-Wage Workforce? — WorkRise Network
Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025 would reduce employment by 1.4 million workers (0.9%) and lift 0.9 million people out of poverty.
The Budgetary Effects of the Raise the Wage Act of 2021 — Congressional Budget Office
Young, less educated people would account for a disproportionate share of the reductions in employment from a $15 minimum wage increase.
$15 Minimum Wage Would Reduce Poverty But Cost Jobs, CBO Says — NPR
In 2023, the poverty rate was 17.9% for Black people (population share 13.6%), 16.9% for Hispanic people (19%), 8.2% for Asian people (6%), and 7.7% for non-Hispanic White people (58%).
Poverty rate in the United States in 2023, by race and ethnicity — Statista (based on US Census Bureau)
In 2022, score gaps between White students and their Black and Hispanic peers in mathematics were larger than in 2019.
2022 NAEP Mathematics Assessment — National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)