Minimum Wage Updates
Nov 19, 2025 8:00:00 AM
Click below for details on the upcoming January 1, 2026, minimum wage adjustments:
Employers should also be mindful of varying state requirements for exempt employee minimum salaries. At the federal level, employees may be exempt from earning overtime, with some exceptions, if they:
- Earn at least $684 per week; and
- Are paid on a salary basis; and
- Perform exempt job duties.
If a state’s minimum salary threshold exceeds the federal requirement, employers must comply with the higher state standard. See below for a summary of upcoming minimum-salary changes effective January 1, 2026.
California
- State law ties the exempt salary threshold to twice the state minimum wage for a 40-hour workweek.
- On January 1, 2026, the state minimum wage will increase to $16.90 per hour and accordingly the salary threshold for most executive/administrative/professional exemptions will rise to $1,352 per week ($70,304 per year).
- Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum pay for overtime exempt computer professionals as well as physicians and surgeons will increase per an annual inflation adjustment required by state statute (click on the links to view more).
Colorado
- Employees qualified for the executive, administrative, and professional exemptions must be paid at least $1,111.23 per week beginning on January 1, 2026.
Maine
- Maine’s exempt salary threshold is scheduled to increase to $871.16 per week ($45,300 per year) effective January 1, 2026.
New York
- For NYC and Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester counties: weekly threshold increases to $1,275 per week ($66,300 per year) on January 1, 2026.
- For the remainder of the state: weekly threshold increases to $1,199.10 per week ($62,353.20 per year) on January 1, 2026.
Washington
- Effective January 1, 2026 the weekly salary minimum for exempt employees will increase to $1,541.70 per week ($80,168.40 per year) per state rule (2.25 × the new minimum wage).
- Note: This threshold applies regardless of employer size (although earlier versions differentiated by size) and must be met for exempt classification under state law.
Summary
- As noted, the federal salary-level test for exemption under the FLSA remains at $684 per week for standard EAP exemptions in 2026.
- Because many states set higher thresholds, employers must check both federal and state regulations and apply whichever is more protective of the employee.
- Employers in multistate operations should consider aligning with the highest applicable threshold to simplify compliance.
Previous Updates
- Earn at least $684 per week;
- Are paid on a salary basis; and
- Perform exempt job duties.
If a state’s minimum salary threshold exceeds the federal requirement, employers must comply with the higher state standard. See below for a summary of upcoming minimum salary changes.
- NYC and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties: $1,237.50 per week
- Remainder of the State: $1,161.65 per week
To help ensure that the minimum wage keeps pace with the rising cost of living, many states and municipalities adjust (or will adjust) their minimum wage rates annually. Others adjust their minimum wage rates periodically through legislation or ballot initiatives.
- NYC and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties: $1,200.00 per week
- Remainder of the State: $1,124.20 per week
Many states and municipalities have minimum wage requirements. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and an employer must pay the higher (federal, state, municipal) minimum wage to their non-exempt employee.
To help ensure that the minimum wage keeps pace with the rising cost of living, many states and municipalities adjust (or will adjust) their minimum wage rates annually. Others adjust their minimum wage rates periodically through legislation or ballot initiatives.
Click here for a view of the July 1, 2023 changes.
Click here for a minimum wage chart.
Many states and municipalities have minimum wage requirements. An employer must pay the highest rate that applies. For example, if an employer is subject to a local ordinance that sets a minimum wage rate higher than the state and/or federal minimum wage rate, it must pay nonexempt employees the higher local wage. Conversely, if an employer operates in a state that does not have a minimum wage law or that has a minimum wage lower than the federal minimum wage, it must pay nonexempt employees the federal minimum wage of $7.25 if it is covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
To help ensure that the minimum wage keeps pace with the rising cost of living, many states and municipalities adjust (or will adjust) their minimum wage rates annually. Others adjust their minimum wage rates periodically through legislation or ballot initiatives.
This chart sets forth the state minimum wage rates for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. It also covers selected local minimum wage ordinances that apply to most or all employees who work within a particular jurisdiction, in contrast to ordinances that apply only to specific types of employers (such as those in Long Beach, California and SeaTac, Washington) and to prevailing wage or living wage ordinances that apply only to employees of local governments and the contractors they hire.
In states and localities that permit employers to claim a tip credit, minimum cash wage and maximum tip credit are also listed.
.jpg?width=1170&name=FranklyHR_blog_Header%20(1).jpg)