Minimum wage information has changed for workers and employers in Florida after the U.S. Department of Labor updated its nationwide state-rate table on November 5, 2026.
The updated minimum wage table lists Florida’s wage floor at $15.00 per hour, replacing the previous $14.00 rate shown in the department’s July 1, 2026 snapshot.
Florida’s new rate took effect on September 30, 2026, under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2020.
The update gives employers, employees and payroll professionals a current federal reference for comparing minimum wage requirements across the country.
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Florida reaches the $15 minimum wage target
Florida’s hourly rate increased by $1.00 per hour from the rate that applied during the previous year.
The increase is the final scheduled $1.00 step in a voter-approved plan that began raising Florida’s wage floor in 2021.
Under the plan, the state rate rose to $10.00 on September 30, 2021, and increased by $1.00 each September 30 until reaching $15.00 in 2026.
The Florida Department of Commerce says the $15.00 rate will remain in effect through December 31, 2027.
Beginning in 2027, Florida’s rate is scheduled to be adjusted for inflation under the state’s constitutional framework.
That means the $15.00 rate is not necessarily the final long-term wage floor for Florida workers.
What the updated minimum wage table shows
The Labor Department’s updated table lists wage rates for states, territories and the District of Columbia.
The table also identifies important differences involving employer size, geographic location, overtime coverage, annual adjustments and federal-law exemptions.
Florida is now listed at $15.00 per hour without the separate regional wage tiers that apply in some other states.
The federal rate remains $7.25 per hour for covered nonexempt employees.
When workers are covered by both federal and state wage laws, employers generally must pay the higher applicable rate.
As a result, covered Florida employees generally receive the $15.00 state rate rather than the federal $7.25 rate.
States with higher minimum wage rates
The updated table shows that several jurisdictions continue to require more than $15.00 per hour.
| Jurisdiction | Listed wage rate | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $18.40 | Adjusted annually on July 1 |
| Washington | $17.13 | Annual adjustment and weekly overtime rules |
| New York | $17.00 or $16.00 | Higher rate applies in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties |
| California | $16.90 | Daily, weekly and seventh-day overtime provisions apply |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | Weekly premium pay generally begins after 40 hours |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | Additional Sunday and holiday rules may apply |
Oregon also has multiple rates, including $16.80 in the Portland metropolitan area, $15.55 under the standard rate and $14.55 in nonurban counties.
New Jersey lists a general rate of $15.92, with a $15.23 rate for certain small employers and seasonal employees.
Maine lists a $15.10 rate, while Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan’s scheduled rate and several other jurisdictions have rates at or near $15.00.
Why the update matters to employers
Employers in Florida must review payroll systems, wage notices and employee pay records to ensure that covered workers receive at least $15.00 per hour for work performed on or after the effective date.
Businesses should also review tipped-worker calculations because state and federal rules can affect the amount an employer may credit toward the required wage.
The updated Labor Department table does not display every special rate for minors, students, trainees or other exempt categories.
It also does not list every local wage ordinance that may require a higher rate than the statewide wage.
Employers with operations in multiple states should not rely on the Florida rate or the federal rate as a nationwide standard.
Instead, payroll departments should compare the employee’s work location, job classification, employer size and applicable state or local requirements.
Overtime rules remain separate from the hourly minimum
The table also summarizes premium-pay rules, but the hourly floor and overtime requirements are separate legal questions.
Many jurisdictions require premium pay after 40 hours in a workweek, while others add daily, seventh-day or industry-specific requirements.
Florida’s entry in the updated table identifies the $15.00 hourly rate but does not replace the federal Fair Labor Standards Act rules that apply to covered employees.
Under federal law, eligible nonexempt employees generally must receive overtime pay at one and one-half times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
State and local laws may provide additional protections or different coverage rules.
Federal minimum wage remains unchanged
The Labor Department’s update does not announce a change to the federal rate.
The federal rate remains $7.25 per hour, a rate that has applied to covered workers since July 24, 2009.
States without a higher applicable wage generally rely on the federal rate for workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee do not have a state wage law listed in the table.
In those states, covered employers generally must follow the federal $7.25 rate, subject to applicable federal exceptions and higher local requirements.
Workers should check local and job-specific rules
The statewide rate is an important starting point, but it may not answer every employee’s wage question.
Some cities and counties impose higher local wage floors, particularly for large employers, government contractors, hotel workers or businesses operating in high-cost areas.
State laws may also establish different rules for tipped employees, young workers, students, agricultural employees, domestic workers and certain seasonal positions.
Workers who believe they are being paid below the applicable rate should preserve pay stubs, schedules and records of hours worked.
They can then contact the relevant state labor agency or the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division for information about possible wage violations.
The Labor Department advises users to consult the appropriate state labor office because the federal table is intended as a general reference and does not display every differential provision.
What Florida workers should know now
Florida employees should see a minimum wage rate of $15.00 for covered work beginning September 30, 2026, unless a different lawful rate or exemption applies.
The increase is especially relevant to workers who were previously paid the state’s $14.00 rate.
Employers should update posted wage notices and ensure that payroll records reflect the new rate.
The next major Florida wage adjustment is expected to come through the state’s inflation-based adjustment process rather than another fixed $1.00 increase.
For now, the Labor Department’s November 5, 2026 update confirms that Florida has joined the jurisdictions with a $15.00 statewide minimum wage rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Florida’s minimum wage in 2026?
Florida’s minimum wage is $15.00 per hour effective September 30, 2026. The rate applies subject to applicable exemptions and special wage rules.
Did the federal minimum wage change with the Labor Department update?
No. The federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour for covered nonexempt employees.
When did Florida’s minimum wage increase to $15?
Florida’s minimum wage increased from $14.00 to $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026.
Will Florida’s minimum wage change again?
Florida’s wage floor is scheduled to be adjusted for inflation beginning with the state’s post-2026 adjustment process.
Fact-Checked: The Florida rate and federal minimum wage were checked against official Florida Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Labor sources, including the Labor Department’s November 5, 2026 state-rate update supplied for this report.
Disclaimer: Minimum wage requirements can vary by worker classification, employer size, locality and applicable federal, state or local law.
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