Five states named in a recent report are set to raise minimum wages in 2027: Washington, California, Connecticut, New Jersey and Michigan. The highest statewide rate in the list is Washington’s $17.73 an hour. The evidence is not equally strong for every figure: Washington and California have published official rates, Michigan’s $15 rate is listed as scheduled by the U.S. Department of Labor, while Connecticut’s and New Jersey’s figures remain secondary-source reports here.
2027 minimum wage rates in the five states
The rates below are hourly. Unless otherwise noted, the effective date for the confirmed or scheduled changes is January 1, 2027.
| State | 2027 rate | Status and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $17.73 for most workers; $15.07 for workers aged 14 and 15 | Announced by Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) for January 1, 2027. Some local jurisdictions set higher rates. |
| California | $17.40 statewide | Announced by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) for January 1, 2027. Some cities and counties have higher rates. |
| Connecticut | $17.48 | Reported by Mint; official state confirmation was not located for this figure. |
| New Jersey | $16.48 for most workers | Reported by Mint; official state confirmation and category-specific details were not located for this figure. |
| Michigan | $15.00 | Listed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as scheduled for January 1, 2027, followed by annual formula adjustments. |
Washington L&I announced its rate in a September 30, 2026 release. California DIR announced its rate in a 2026 notice. The DOL’s state minimum wage table, updated July 1, 2026, lists Michigan’s scheduled change. Mint reported the Connecticut and New Jersey figures on October 6, 2026; see its five-state report.
What “up to 60%” means—and does not mean
The headline phrase “up to 60%” should not be read as Washington’s year-over-year increase. L&I says Washington’s statewide rate rises from $17.13 to $17.73: a $0.60 increase, or 3.5%, effective January 1, 2027. The cited report does not clearly substantiate a 60% annual increase for the five states.
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How to find the minimum that applies to you
A statewide rate is a starting point, not always the final answer for a particular worker. Check the effective date, the location where the work is performed, and whether a worker-category rule applies.
- Check the state and local rule. A city or county rate can exceed the statewide floor. Washington L&I’s minimum wage page notes higher local rates; California DIR likewise notes that some cities and counties set higher rates. For a specific work location, confirm the current local requirement rather than assuming the state amount controls.
- Check worker category. Washington publishes a separate 2027 rate of $15.07 an hour for workers aged 14 and 15. New Jersey’s reported $16.48 figure is explicitly for most workers, so do not apply it to every category without checking the state’s current rules.
- Check whether the amount is confirmed or only reported or scheduled. Washington and California have official announcements; Michigan’s rate is listed as scheduled by the DOL. Connecticut’s and New Jersey’s amounts in the cited report were not independently confirmed by official state sources here.
- Compare with the federal floor. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour for covered workers, according to the DOL. Where an applicable state or local minimum is higher, the higher floor may apply. The DOL’s consolidated minimum wage table, effective July 1, 2026, is a useful federal reference; verify the current rules for the worker and location.
What the five-state list does not establish
The list reflects the five states named in Mint’s report; it is not an exhaustive national inventory of every jurisdiction that may change its minimum wage in 2027. Nor does the available official confirmation establish Connecticut’s $17.48 or New Jersey’s $16.48 as final state-agency figures. Workers and payroll teams should verify those rates and any category-specific rules with the relevant state labor agency before relying on them.
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