$15 minimum wage signs outside the Capitol Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Minimum wage increased in 19 states on January 1, affecting over 8 million workers. Washington, D.C., leads with the highest minimum wage at $17.95 per hour in the United States. Twenty states still use the federal minimum wage of $7.25 or have no state minimum wage. Minimum wage is up in 19 states starting January 1, affecting over 8 million workers. Washington, D.C., has the highest minimum wage in the US at $17.95 per hour, while 20 states still either mandate $7.25 or default to the federal line. Business Insider listed the minimum wage in each state, from highest to lowest. We bolded the states where wages increased starting January 1, 2026. $17.00/hour or more Washington, D.C.: $17.95 Washington: $17.13 (increased from $16.66) New York: $17 (increased from $16.50) *The minimum wage applies only in New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County. $16/hour — $17/hour Connecticut: $16.94 (increased from $16.35) California: $16.90 (increased from $16.50) Hawaii: $16.00 (increased from $14) Oregon: $16.30 or $15.05 or $14.05 *The standard minimum wage in Oregon is $15.05 per hour. The minimum wage in the Portland metro area is $16.30 per hour, and the minimum wage in nonurban counties is $14.05 per hour. New York: $16.00 (increased from $15.50) *The minimum wage outside New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County. Rhode Island: $16.00 (increased from $15) $15/hour — $16/hour New Jersey: $15.92 (increased from $15.49) *The minimum wage for employers who employ fewer than six people and employees engaged in seasonal employment in New Jersey is $15.23 per hour. Colorado: $15.16 (increased from $14.81) Arizona: $15.15 (increased from $14.70) Maine: $15.10 (increased from $14.65) Delaware: $15.00 Illinois: $15.00 Massachusetts: $15.00 Maryland: $15.00 Missouri: $15.00 (increased from $13.75) Nebraska: $15.00 (increased from $13.50) $10/hour — $15/hour Vermont: $14.42 (increased from $14.01) Florida: $14.00 Michigan: $13.73 (increased from $12.48) Alaska: $13.00 Virginia: $12.77 (increased from $12.41) New Mexico: $12.00 Nevada: $12.00 South Dakota: $11.85 (increased from $11.50) Minnesota: $11.41 (increased from $11.13) Ohio: $11.00 (increased from $10.70) *Ohio employers with annual gross receipts under $405,000 must pay no less than $7.25 per hour. Arkansas: $11.00 Montana: $10.85 (increased from $10.55) *A Montana business not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4.00 per hour. $7.25/hour - $10/hour West Virginia: $8.75 Iowa: $7.25 Idaho: $7.25 Indiana: $7.25 Kansas: $7.25 Kentucky: $7.25 North Carolina: $7.25 North Dakota: $7.25 New Hampshire: $7.25 Oklahoma: $7.25 Pennsylvania: $7.25 Texas: $7.25 Utah: $7.25 Wisconsin: $7.25 No minimum wage or under $7.25/hour Alabama Georgia Louisiana Mississippi South Carolina Tennessee Wyoming Read the original article on Business Insider