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Federal Minimum Wage 2026

$7.25
Federal hourly minimum wage (unchanged since 2009)
Summary

The US federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour in 2026 — unchanged since 2009, the longest stretch without an increase in US history. 30 states and DC have higher state minimums. The highest is Washington at $16.66/hour; the lowest at the federal floor are Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Breakdown

Federal minimum wage$7.25/hr
Highest state (Washington)$16.66/hr
California minimum$16.50/hr
New York minimum$16.50/hr
States at federal floor20 states
Source
US Department of Labor· As of 2026-Q1

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All Pulsafi stats are sourced from primary government data and major financial institutions. Read the full methodology and data-sources page.