How Minimum Wage Pay Is Calculated
Yearly pay = Minimum hourly wage × Hours per week × 52
Minimum wage pay is calculated from the hourly rate that applies where you work. The rate is the higher of the state minimum and the federal $7.25.
At California's $16.90, a 40-hour week pays $676, two weeks pay $1,352, and a year pays $35,152. After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, a single filer keeps about $30,424.63 a year before any state income tax.
Minimum Wage by State in 2026
The table shows the basic minimum wage of every state and the yearly pay at 40 hours a week. States marked "none" have no minimum wage law, so the federal $7.25 applies to most jobs.
| State | State minimum | Rate paid | Yearly pay at 40 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | none | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Alaska | $14 | $14 | $29,120 |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $15.15 | $31,512 |
| Arkansas | $11 | $11 | $22,880 |
| California | $16.90 | $16.90 | $35,152 |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $15.16 | $31,532.80 |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $16.94 | $35,235.20 |
| Delaware | $15 | $15 | $31,200 |
| District of Columbia | $18.40 | $18.40 | $38,272 |
| Florida | $15 | $15 | $31,200 |
| Georgia | $5.15 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Hawaii | $16 | $16 | $33,280 |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Illinois | $15 | $15 | $31,200 |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Louisiana | none | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Maine | $15.10 | $15.10 | $31,408 |
| Maryland | $15 | $15 | $31,200 |
| Massachusetts | $15 | $15 | $31,200 |
| Michigan | $13.73 | $13.73 | $28,558.40 |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | $11.41 | $23,732.80 |
| Mississippi | none | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Missouri | $15 | $15 | $31,200 |
| Montana | $10.85 | $10.85 | $22,568 |
| Nebraska | $15 | $15 | $31,200 |
| Nevada | $12 | $12 | $24,960 |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $15.92 | $33,113.60 |
| New Mexico | $12 | $12 | $24,960 |
| New York (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) | $17 | $17 | $35,360 |
| New York (rest of state) | $16 | $16 | $33,280 |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Ohio | $11 | $11 | $22,880 |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Oregon (standard) | $15.55 | $15.55 | $32,344 |
| Oregon (Portland metro) | $16.80 | $16.80 | $34,944 |
| Oregon (non-urban counties) | $14.55 | $14.55 | $30,264 |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Rhode Island | $16 | $16 | $33,280 |
| South Carolina | none | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $11.85 | $24,648 |
| Tennessee | none | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Texas | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Utah | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Vermont | $14.42 | $14.42 | $29,993.60 |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $12.77 | $26,561.60 |
| Washington | $17.13 | $17.13 | $35,630.40 |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $8.75 | $18,200 |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Wyoming | $5.15 | $7.25 | $15,080 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated November 5, 2026. Some states set lower rates for small employers or particular industries; the table shows the basic rate.
Highest and Lowest Minimum Wages
The highest minimum wage in the country is $18.40 in District of Columbia, followed by Washington at $17.13 and New York (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) at $17.
20 states and areas pay the federal $7.25 as their effective minimum, either because their own rate equals it, is lower, or does not exist. At 40 hours a week, that rate pays $15,080 a year, against $38,272 at the top rate.
The Federal Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, set by the Fair Labor Standards Act. It has not changed since July 24, 2009.
- Who it covers: most employees of businesses with at least $500,000 in yearly sales, and all employees whose work involves interstate commerce, such as handling goods from other states.
- Which rate wins: where state and federal rates differ, the employee gets the higher one.
- Youth rate: employers may pay $4.25 an hour to workers under 20 during their first 90 consecutive days on the job.
Tipped Minimum Wage
The federal tipped minimum wage is a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring the worker up to at least $7.25 an hour. If they do not, the employer pays the difference.
Many states set a higher cash wage for tipped workers, and some, including California, Washington and Nevada, require the full state minimum before tips. The Tip Tax Calculator shows how tips are taxed.
Minimum Wage and Overtime
Overtime on minimum wage is 1.5 times the minimum rate for every hour over 40 in a workweek.
| State | Minimum wage | Overtime rate | 45-hour week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $17.13 | $25.70 | $813.68 |
| California | $16.90 | $25.35 | $802.75 |
| New York (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) | $17 | $25.50 | $807.50 |
| Illinois | $15 | $22.50 | $712.50 |
| Texas | $7.25 | $10.88 | $344.38 |
The Overtime Calculator works out overtime at any rate.
Part Time Minimum Wage Pay
Part-time minimum wage pay scales with the weekly hours. The table uses California's $16.90.
| Hours a week | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hours | $253.50 | $1,098.50 | $13,182 |
| 20 hours | $338 | $1,464.67 | $17,576 |
| 25 hours | $422.50 | $1,830.83 | $21,970 |
| 30 hours | $507 | $2,197 | $26,364 |
When Minimum Wages Change
Most state minimum wages change on January 1, and a few on July 1. Several states raise the rate each year by a formula tied to inflation, including California, Washington, Minnesota, Maine, South Dakota and Virginia.
Some states have increases already set in law. Michigan's rate is scheduled to reach $15 on January 1, 2027. Cities and counties can also set their own higher minimum wages, so check the local rate where you work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in 2026?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. State rates range up to $18.40 in District of Columbia; the higher of the two applies.
How much is minimum wage a year?
Minimum wage is $15,080 a year at the federal $7.25 and 40 hours a week, and $35,152 at California's $16.90.
How much is minimum wage biweekly?
Federal minimum wage is $580 biweekly before tax at 40 hours a week: 80 hours × $7.25.
Which state has the highest minimum wage?
District of Columbia has the highest minimum wage at $18.40 an hour, per the U.S. Department of Labor table of November 2026.
Do all states have a minimum wage law?
No. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee have no state minimum wage law, so the federal $7.25 applies to most jobs there.
Is minimum wage paid before or after taxes?
Minimum wage is the gross hourly rate before taxes. Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and any state income tax come out of it.
Can a city have a higher minimum wage than its state?
Yes. Many cities and counties set their own minimum wage above the state rate, and employers there pay the highest rate that applies.