Connecticut Minimum Wage (2026)
Connecticut’s minimum wage is $16.94 — $9.69 above the federal $7.25, effective January 1, 2026. Tipped: tipped minimum $6.38. Next change: CPI-indexed adjustment scheduled for January 1, 2027.
The minimum wage in Connecticut is $16.94/hour in 2026 (effective January 1, 2026).
- Minimum wage$16.94
- Tipped minimum$6.38
- Next scheduled changeCPI-indexed adjustment on January 1, 2027
- Full-time annual (40 hrs/wk)$35,235
Source: state labor department / U.S. DOL, verified July 2026.
Scheduled future increases
| Effective date | New rate |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2027 | CPI-indexed adjustment |
These are enacted in statute or triggered by indexing law — not proposals.
Connecticut vs. neighboring states
| State | Minimum wage | vs. Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $17.00 | +$0.06 |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | −$1.94 |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | −$0.94 |
Connecticut minimum wage history
| Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $16.94 |
| 2025 | $16.35 |
| 2024 | $15.69 |
| 2023 | $15.00 |
| 2022 | $14.00 |
| 2021 | $13.00 |
| 2020 | $12.00 |
| 2019 | $11.00 |
| 2018 | $10.10 |
| 2017 | $10.10 |
| 2016 | $9.60 |
| 2015 | $9.15 |
| 2014 | $8.70 |
| 2013 | $8.25 |
| 2012 | $8.25 |
| 2011 | $8.25 |
| 2010 | $8.25 |
| 2009 | $8.00 |
| 2008 | $7.65 |
| 2007 | $7.65 |
| 2006 | $7.40 |
| 2005 | $7.10 |
| 2004 | $7.10 |
| 2003 | $6.90 |
| 2002 | $6.70 |
| 2001 | $6.40 |
| 2000 | $6.15 |
Historical rates from the U.S. DOL year-by-year tables (January snapshots; mid-year changes appear in the following year’s row).
Carve-outs & details
Two tipped cash wages (DOL): $6.38 hotel/restaurant service employees, $8.23 bartenders. Annual indexing (employment cost index) since Jan 2024. Auto-increases to 0.5% above federal rate if federal ever exceeds state rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is minimum wage in Connecticut in 2026?
$16.94 per hour, effective January 1, 2026, which is $9.69 above the federal $7.25.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Connecticut?
The base cash wage for tipped workers is $6.38; tips must bring total pay to at least the full minimum, or the employer makes up the difference.
When does Connecticut's minimum wage go up next?
CPI-indexed adjustment takes effect January 1, 2027.
How much is full-time minimum wage in Connecticut per year?
At 40 hours/week for 52 weeks, $16.94/hour is $35,235 per year before taxes.
Sources & methodology
Sources: Connecticut labor department · U.S. DOL consolidated table · U.S. DOL historical tables.
Verified against the state labor agency and U.S. DOL, July 2026. Wage law has industry- and size-specific exceptions; confirm your situation with the state agency.