Dozens of cities, states hiking minimum wages in 2026 amid federal inaction

By: Kevin Hardy

Outlets: Stateline

Published: December 3, 2025

Words: 696

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

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The minimum wage for workers will increase in 19 states and 49 cities and counties next month, with the wage floor reaching $15 per hour in dozens of localities, a new report found.

Though the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not increased since 2009, many state and local governments continue to increase minimums through legislation or scheduled increases tied to inflation.

An annual report from the National Employment Law Project, …

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