States Increase Minimum Wages Effective January First, 2026
PUBLISHED Dec 31, 2025, 12:38 PM ET
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United States. State governments and labor agencies announced nationwide minimum wage increases effective Jan. 1, 2026. Ohio will raise non-tipped pay to $11.00 and tipped to $5.50, with the applicability threshold rising to $405,000. Connecticut will adjust to $16.94 using the Employment Cost Index. Missouri will set $15.00 after Proposition A, with automatic increases later repealed. South Dakota’s rates rise to $11.85 and tipped $5.925 under its CPI-based law. Agencies attributed changes to inflation metrics calculated by federal indices and state statutes. Employers and workers will experience adjusted pay rules starting Thursday. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
By Mahnoor A. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Nov 2006: Ohio voters adopt a constitutional amendment linking minimum wage to inflation.
- Jan 1, 2016: South Dakota begins annual CPI-based adjustments per state law.
- 2019: Connecticut passes law tying annual increases to the Employment Cost Index.
- 2024: Missouri voters approve Proposition A setting $15.00 for Jan. 1, 2026.
- Sept 2024–Aug 2025: States use CPI/ECI measurements to calculate 2026 wage increases announced before Jan. 1, 2026.
- Articles Published:
- 6
- Right Leaning:
- 0
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 6
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%
Minimum-wage and tipped employees in the covered states will receive higher hourly pay and therefore increased take-home earnings beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Employers, particularly small businesses above thresholds, will face higher payroll costs and administrative adjustments to comply with new wage floors.
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States Increase Minimum Wages Effective January First, 2026
DRGNews WFMJ https://www.cleveland19.com WTNH Springfield News-Leader WKEFFrom Right
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