MINIMUM WAGE 2026
How Much Is Minimum Wage in 2026?
Last verified 18 April 2026
UNITED STATES
$7.25 federal
Unchanged since 24 July 2009. Longest freeze in FLSA history.
HIGHEST STATE RATES
DC
$17.95rises to $18.40 on 1 Jul 2026
WA
$17.13
NY (NYC/LI/WC)
$17.00
CT
$16.94
CA
$16.90
UNITED KINGDOM
£12.71
From 1 April 2026, aged 21 and over. National Living Wage.
ALL AGE BANDS (1 Apr 2026)
Aged 21+
£12.71+4.1%
Aged 18-20
£10.85+8.5%
Aged 16-17
£8.00+6.0%
Apprentice
£8.00+6.0%
CITY ORDINANCES
Four Highest US City Minimum Wages
$21.65
Tukwila, WA
Highest in US
$21.63
Burien, WA
$21.57
Renton, WA
$21.30
Seattle, WA
Full city rates table including NYC, LA, SF, Denver, Flagstaff →
"The US federal minimum wage has been $7.25 since 24 July 2009 -- the longest gap between federal increases in FLSA history at 16 years and counting."
Every federal increase 1938 to 2026 with real-wage adjustment →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?+
$7.25 per hour, unchanged since 24 July 2009. Over 16 years frozen. Many states and cities set higher floors.
How much is minimum wage in the UK in 2026?+
From 1 April 2026: £12.71 (aged 21+), £10.85 (aged 18-20), £8.00 (aged 16-17 and apprentices). Uprated by the Low Pay Commission.
Which state has the highest minimum wage in 2026?+
Washington at $17.13 among states. DC at $17.95 (rises to $18.40 on 1 July 2026). Tukwila WA leads all US cities at $21.65.
How much is minimum wage per year?+
At federal $7.25 x 40 hours x 52 weeks = $15,080. At California $16.90 = $35,152. UK £12.71 at 37.5 hours/week = £24,784/year.
What is the tipped minimum wage?+
Federal $2.13/hr cash wage. Employer claims up to $5.12 tip credit. Seven states (AK, CA, MN, MT, NV, OR, WA) plus Flagstaff AZ ban the tip credit entirely.
Is minimum wage going up in 2026?+
US federal: no. UK: yes, rose 4.1% to £12.71 on 1 April 2026. At least 22 US states plus DC raised rates 1 January 2026.
When was the last federal minimum wage raise?+
24 July 2009. The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 raised it in three steps from $5.15 to $7.25.
Do all US states follow the federal minimum wage?+
States can set higher but not lower. Five states (AL, LA, MS, SC, TN) have no state law; federal $7.25 applies.
What is the minimum wage for workers under 20?+
Federal $4.25/hr for workers under 20 in their first 90 consecutive calendar days. On day 91 or on the 20th birthday, full minimum applies.
What is the difference between minimum wage and living wage?+
Minimum wage is the legal floor. Living wage is an independent research estimate. UK: Living Wage Foundation £13.45/£14.80 London. US: MIT Living Wage Calculator is county-specific.