US Minimum Wage Calculator
2026 highest: WA $17.13, CT $16.94, CA $16.90, NY $16.50, DC $17.95. PA/TX/GA still at $7.25 federal.
Tipped employee?
Federal tipped cash: $2.13/hr + tips must total $7.25. CA/WA/NV/OR/AK ban tip credit (full min wage).
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How to use
- 1 Select your state — calculator pulls the 2026 state minimum wage. If state has none or lower than federal, $7.25 applies.
- 2 Enter typical weekly hours (40 for FT, 20 for PT). Most state minimums apply regardless of hours.
- 3 Enter weeks worked per year (52 standard, 50 if 2 weeks unpaid, 40 for school year contracts).
- 4 Toggle Tipped Employee if you receive tips — calculator shows cash minimum (typically $2.13 federal) and required total with tips ($7.25 minimum).
- 5 Click Calculate to see hourly minimum, weekly pay, biweekly, monthly, annual gross, and federal/state comparison ratio.
About US Minimum Wage Calculator
FAQ
Q What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?
$7.25 per hour — unchanged since 2009. Congress hasn't raised it in 17 years. 21 states default to this federal floor; the rest have higher state minimums (up to $17.95 in DC).
Q Which state has the highest minimum wage in 2026?
District of Columbia at $17.95/hr. Among states: Washington $17.13, Connecticut $16.94, California $16.90, New York $16.50 (NYC/LI/Westchester), Massachusetts/Maryland/Illinois/Delaware/Rhode Island all at $15.00.
Q When state and federal minimum wage differ, which applies?
Whichever is HIGHER. 29 U.S.C. §218 — federal floor establishes a minimum, but state law applies when more generous. Same for cities/counties: localities can set their own (Seattle $20.76, SF $18.67) when state law allows.
Q How is tipped employee minimum wage different?
Federal: $2.13/hr cash + tip credit up to $5.12 (must total $7.25 with tips). State variations: 7 states (CA, WA, NV, OR, AK, MN, MT) ban tip credit — pay full minimum cash + tips on top. Most other states have intermediate cash minimums ($2.13-$10/hr).
Q What's the annual income at federal minimum wage?
$7.25 × 40 hrs × 52 weeks = $15,080/year gross. Below the federal poverty line for a single person ($15,650 in 2026). Households relying on federal-min income often qualify for SNAP, EITC, Medicaid, and other safety net programs.
Q Are minimum wages keeping up with inflation?
Federal $7.25 has lost ~30% of real purchasing power since last raised in 2009. State minimums in WA, CA, CO, AZ, MI, MO, NJ are CPI-indexed and keep pace; state minimums in MA, MD, IL, NY are statutory and need legislative action.
Q Does federal minimum apply to gig workers?
NO — independent contractors (Uber drivers, freelancers, gig workers) are NOT covered by FLSA. Only W-2 employees are covered. Some cities (Seattle, NYC) have minimum-wage equivalents for gig drivers, but federal FLSA does not apply.
Q Can my employer pay below minimum wage?
Generally no, but exceptions: full-time students (with DOL certificate), workers under 20 in first 90 days ($4.25 federal training wage), tipped workers (with tip credit), workers with disabilities (Section 14(c) certificates being phased out). Most workers must receive at least the applicable state/federal minimum.
Official resources
DOL — State Minimum Wage Laws
US Department of Labor official state-by-state minimum wage tracker including 2026 rates.
DOL — Federal Minimum Wage History
Comprehensive history of federal minimum wage from 1938 ($0.25) to 2026 ($7.25 since 2009).
DOL — Tipped Employees and Minimum Wage
US Department of Labor Fact Sheet 15 on tipped employee minimum wage and tip credit rules.
EPI — Family Budget Calculator (Living Wage)
Economic Policy Institute Family Budget Calculator showing actual cost of living vs minimum wage by metro.