2026 Minimum Wage, Exempt Pay Increases

Many states and localities are set to increase their minimum wages on January 1, 2026.

In California, Colorado, Maine, New York and Washington, the minimum salary required to be classified as exempt from overtime is tied to the minimum wage or is otherwise adjusted annually with the minimum wage and therefore will also increase on January 1, 2026.

This article provides a summary of these changes.

Littler:
Littler’s Semi-Annual Rates Update for Minimum Wage, Tips, and Exempt Pay Increases on January 1, 2026 (and Other Developments)