19 States to Raise Minimum Wage in 2026
Nearly 20 U.S. states will raise their minimum wage in 2026, affecting about 8.3 million workers and increasing their earnings by $5 billion, with Washington and New York offering the highest wages. The changes reflect inflation adjustments and scheduled hikes, but many southern states will see no change due to lack of minimum wage laws. The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 since 2009, losing over 30% of its value to inflation.