Twenty-Two States Raise Minimum Wage; Expats in High-Cost Areas See Bigger Jumps
Eighty-eight jurisdictions nationwide have increased minimum wage floors in 2026, with 57 states and cities now at or above $17 per hour. California, New York, and Washington lead the way, while new arrivals should know where they stand.
Who's Getting a Raise
According to the National Employment Law Project, 88 jurisdictions (22 states and 66 cities and counties) will raise their minimum wage floors by the end of 2026, with minimum wage floors rising in 19 states and 49 cities and counties on January 1, and an additional 4 states and 22 localities following with scheduled or inflation-adjusted increases later in the year. By the end of 2026, 79 jurisdictions will reach or exceed a $15 minimum wage, and 57 jurisdictions—including California, New Jersey, New York, and Washington State—will reach or surpass $17 an hour.
How Much More Workers Earn
These changes will benefit around 8.3 million workers, who are expected to gain a combined $5 billion in additional earnings through 2026. In 2026, minimum wages in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, and Nebraska will reach or exceed $15 an hour for the first time, meaning that a total of 17 states and Washington D.C. will reach that threshold.
What This Means for Expat Workers and Job Seekers
If you've just arrived or are job-hunting, your earning floor has risen significantly depending on where you settle. Entry-level positions in California, New York, and urban centers now start closer to $17–18 per hour rather than $15. This is good news for covering rent and living expenses in these high-cost regions. However, the 2026 increases come at a time when the country's affordability crisis has deepened, as overall prices have risen more than 23 percent since 2020. Higher wages help, but they're not keeping pace with inflation everywhere. If you're in states still at the federal minimum of $7.25, consider relocating to high-wage states or cities—the gap between states is now wider than ever.
Sources
MyHAbroad is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any government or public authority. This is general information only — not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Always verify with the official source before acting:
