Minimum Wage hike: These 5 US states to raise pay in 2027 by up to 60%, with rates hitting $17.73 an hour

US minimum wages will rise in 5 states in 2027, with Washington leading at $17.73 an hour. Seattle's rate will hit $22.14.

Workers in five US states are set to receive higher minimum wages from 1 January 2027, further widening the gap between state-level pay floors and the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

Washington, California, Connecticut, New Jersey and Michigan are among the states increasing their minimum wages, with Washington set to have the highest statewide rate at $17.73 an hour.

The changes highlight the growing divergence between state and federal wage rules, with several states having minimum wages more than twice the federal floor.

US minimum wage 2027: Washington leads with $17.73 an hour

Washington's minimum wage will rise by 60 cents from its current $17.13 to $17.73 an hour. Connecticut will increase its rate from $16.94 to $17.48, while California's wage floor will rise from $16.90 to $17.40.

New Jersey will raise its minimum wage by 56 cents to $16.48 an hour for most workers. Michigan is set for one of the biggest increases, with its minimum wage climbing from $13.73 to $15 an hour.

The federal minimum wage, meanwhile, remains at $7.25 an hour.

Minimum wage gap widens across US states

The wage increases are not limited to Democratic-led states. Several Republican-led states have also set minimum wages well above the federal rate, although they remain below the highest-paying states.

Florida's minimum wage reached $15 an hour on 30 September and will remain at that level through the end of 2027. Missouri also has a $15 minimum wage, while Nebraska will increase its rate from $15 to $15.26 an hour on 1 January.

The differences become even sharper at the city level.

Seattle minimum wage to hit $22.14 in 2027