2026 Minimum Wage Increase

On January 1, 2026, Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase from $16.35 per hour to $16.94 per hour.

The change is required pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 31-58(i)(1) which requires that “not later than each January first . . . , the minimum fair wage shall be adjusted by the percentage change in the employment cost index, or its successor index, for wages and salaries for all civilian workers, as calculated by the United States Department of Labor, over the twelve-month period ending on June thirtieth of the preceding year, rounded to the nearest whole cent.”

Connecticut Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo reports that the employment cost index increased by 3.6% over the twelve-month period ending on June 30, 2025.