12-STATE PILOT · 2026 SNAPSHOTS
Compare real state-level differences in minimum wage, overtime, leave, and employee non-competes. Each guide also identifies the state's current change theme and why ongoing monitoring matters for employers.
Snapshot updated .
2026 minimum wage
$16.90 per hour statewide (no tip credit)
Change theme
New mandatory annual 'Know Your Rights' workplace notices (SB 294 effective 2026), ban on most 'stay-or-pay' repayment agreements for training/relocation/sign-on (AB 692),…
Read the California guide →2026 minimum wage
$17.00 per hour in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County
Change theme
Annual updates to Paid Family Leave benefit caps, contribution rates, and maximum weekly benefits; expansions/codifications of paid sick/safe leave and prenatal leave…
Read the New York guide →2026 minimum wage
$7.25 per hour (follows federal minimum; no higher statewide minimum wage)
Change theme
Generally stable pro-business framework with primary reliance on federal standards; monitoring includes any ballot initiatives, legislative proposals on wages, or…
Read the Texas guide →2026 minimum wage
$14.00 per hour (through approximately September 29, 2026)
Change theme
Scheduled minimum wage increases under the voter-approved constitutional amendment (reaching $15.00 in late 2026); recent strengthening of noncompete enforceability for covered…
Read the Florida guide →2026 minimum wage
$15.00 per hour statewide
Change theme
Implementation and enforcement of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act; refinements and expansions to Chicago paid leave/sick ordinances; ongoing pay equity and wage transparency…
Read the Illinois guide →2026 minimum wage
$17.13 per hour statewide (no tip credit)
Change theme
Annual updates to exempt salary thresholds for overtime and updates to PFML premiums/benefits; proliferation and adjustments of local minimum wage ordinances.
Read the Washington guide →2026 minimum wage
$15.16 per hour statewide
Change theme
Annual minimum wage adjustments and COMPS Order updates; refinements to the FAMLI paid leave program; local wage ordinance activity.
Read the Colorado guide →2026 minimum wage
$15.00 per hour (no scheduled statewide increase for 2026; proposals for future increases have been discussed…)
Change theme
Annual updates to PFML benefits, contribution rates, and maximum weekly benefits (e.g., 2026 increases); ongoing legislative proposals around further minimum wage increases and…
Read the Massachusetts guide →2026 minimum wage
$15.92 per hour for most employees
Change theme
Annual CPI-based minimum wage adjustments; significant 2026 expansions to NJFLA (coverage threshold lowered to 15+ employees effective ~July 2026, shorter eligibility periods, job…
Read the New Jersey guide →2026 minimum wage
$7.25 per hour (follows federal; no higher statewide minimum wage)
Change theme
Limited major new statewide employment mandates; primary focus remains federal compliance with occasional local ordinance activity (e.g., Philadelphia paid sick leave) or…
Read the Pennsylvania guide →2026 minimum wage
$7.25 per hour generally (state minimum of $5.15 applies only to workers not covered by the FLSA; federal rate…)
Change theme
Generally stable, pro-business environment with limited new statewide mandates; monitoring focuses on any tort reform, industry rules (e.g., film, logistics, healthcare), or local…
Read the Georgia guide →2026 minimum wage
$12.77 per hour (increased effective 2026 from prior year; further scheduled increases and indexing to begin)
Change theme
Phase-in of higher minimum wage with future indexing; extension of minimum wage to farm workers; expanding noncompete restrictions for low-wage workers and new limitations tied to…
Read the Virginia guide →MONITOR THE CHANGE, NOT JUST THE SNAPSHOT
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