Connecticut Minimum Wage in 2026: $16.94 an Hour
The minimum wage in Connecticut is $16.94 an hour since January 1, 2026, $9.69 above the federal minimum. Full time that is $35,235 a year before tax.
Connecticut minimum wage at a glance
| Minimum wage | $16.94 an hour |
|---|---|
| In effect since | January 1, 2026 |
| Next change | $17.48 on Jan 1, 2027 |
| Tipped cash wage | $6.38 an hour |
| Overtime rate | $25.41 an hour |
| Federal minimum | $7.25 an hour |
One statewide rate, with restaurant waitstaff payable at $6.38 and bartenders at $8.23 an hour plus tips.
What $16.94 an hour pays
| A week (40 hours) | $677.60 |
|---|---|
| A 50-hour week with overtime | $931.70 |
| A month | $2,936 |
| A year | $35,235 |
| Take-home a year (single) | $29,419 |
Connecticut and its neighbors
| State | Minimum wage | Full time, a year |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $35,235 |
| New York | $16 | $33,280 |
| Rhode Island | $16 | $33,280 |
| Massachusetts | $15 | $31,200 |
For employers in Connecticut
- Pay at least $16.94 an hour, and $17.48 from January 1, 2027; a higher city or county rate applies where it exists.
- Overtime: time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
- Pay transparency: From October 1, 2026, internal and public postings must show the wage or a good-faith wage range and a general description of benefits; from 2021 to September 30, 2026 the range was owed only on request or before an offer. Details →
- A full-time hire at $16.94 an hour costs more than $35,235 once payroll taxes and insurance are added. Employee cost calculator →
Source: portal.ct.gov, checked October 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Connecticut in 2026?
$16.94 an hour, since January 1, 2026. One statewide rate, with restaurant waitstaff payable at $6.38 and bartenders at $8.23 an hour plus tips.
How much is the Connecticut minimum wage a year?
$35,235 a year for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks: $2,936 a month or $677.60 a week before tax. After federal and state taxes a single filer takes home about $29,419 a year.
Is the Connecticut minimum wage going up?
Yes: to $17.48 an hour on January 1, 2027.
What is overtime pay at minimum wage in Connecticut?
$25.41 an hour (time and a half) for hours over 40 in a workweek. A 50-hour week at minimum wage pays $931.70.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Connecticut?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $6.38 an hour if tips bring them up to $16.94; if not, the employer must pay the difference.
Do cities in Connecticut have a higher minimum wage?
Not that we list. If your city or county sets its own minimum wage, the higher rate applies where the work is done.
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