Minimum Wage Comparison Calculator

Compare minimum wage across all 50 states with annual income at each rate.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division

State Minimum Wage

$16.90/hr

Federal Minimum

$7.25/hr

Annual (State Rate)

$35,152.00

Top 10 States by Minimum Wage

DC$18.40/hr
WA$17.13/hr
NY$17.00/hr
CT$16.94/hr
CA$16.90/hr
OR$16.30/hr
HI$16.00/hr
RI$16.00/hr
NJ$15.92/hr
CO$15.16/hr

Use the Minimum Wage Comparison Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Minimum wage rates vary widely across the United States, and comparing the annual income each state's rate produces brings the real earning gap into focus. The 2026 rates are in hand rather than projected: 30 states and the District of Columbia now sit above the federal floor of $7.25, which has not moved since 2009, while 20 states still use $7.25 as their own rate. The top of the range is the District of Columbia at $18.40 an hour, which reindexes every July 1; the highest state rate is Washington's $17.13.

The arithmetic is direct: a state's minimum hourly wage is multiplied by the standard 2080 working hours in a year, which reflects 40 hours a week over 52 weeks. The result is gross annual income before taxes and deductions. Where a state sets separate minimums for tipped employees or particular industries, the general rate that covers most workers is the one used here.

Treat every figure as gross income rather than take-home pay; taxes, healthcare premiums, and other deductions all chip away at what actually lands in your account. Cost of living deserves equal weight, because a state's higher minimum wage can be erased by steeper bills for housing, food, and transportation.

Example: Comparing 2026 Minimum Wage in California vs. Alabama

  1. 1 Compare the 2026 minimum wage in California and Alabama. California's rate is $16.90 an hour; Alabama sets none of its own, so the federal minimum of $7.25 applies.
  2. 2 For California, the annual income is $16.90/hour * 2080 hours/year = $35,152. For Alabama, the annual income is $7.25/hour * 2080 hours/year = $15,080.
  3. 3 In 2026, a full-time minimum wage earner in California grosses $35,152 a year, while the same worker in Alabama grosses $15,080.
  4. 4 The gap is $20,072 in gross annual income between the two states, which is more than the Alabama worker earns in total. Cost of living closes part of that gap but nowhere near all of it, which is why the comparison is worth making before a move.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009. Most states and many cities set higher minimums: 30 states plus the District of Columbia are above the federal floor in 2026, while 20 states still use $7.25 as their own rate. The range tops out at $18.40 an hour in the District of Columbia and $17.13 in Washington State.
Which state has the highest minimum wage?
The District of Columbia has the highest rate in the country at $18.40 per hour, reindexed every July 1 for inflation. Among states, Washington leads at $17.13, followed by Connecticut at $16.94 and California at $16.90. Several cities set local minimums above their state rate, including Seattle, San Francisco and New York City.
How much is minimum wage annually?
At the federal minimum of $7.25/hour, full-time annual income is $15,080 before taxes. At $15/hour it is $31,200. At $16.90/hour (California) it is $35,152, at $17.13/hour (Washington State) it is $35,630, and at $18.40/hour (the District of Columbia, the highest rate in the country) it is $38,272. All figures assume 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

You might also need

Paycheck Calculator 2026 — Free Take-Home Pay Estimator

Calculate your take-home pay after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions for all 50 states. Free, instant results based on 2026 tax rates.

Salary to Hourly Calculator

Convert annual salary to hourly rate and vice versa. See daily, weekly, biweekly, and monthly pay breakdowns.

Bonus Tax Calculator

Calculate tax withholding on your bonus. See net bonus after federal (22% flat or aggregate method), FICA, and state taxes.