Virginia Minimum Wage in 2026: $12.77 an Hour
The minimum wage in Virginia is $12.77 an hour since January 1, 2026, $5.52 above the federal minimum. Full time that is $26,562 a year before tax.
Virginia minimum wage at a glance
| Minimum wage | $12.77 an hour |
|---|---|
| In effect since | January 1, 2026 |
| Next change | $13.75 on Jan 1, 2027 |
| Tipped cash wage | $2.13 an hour |
| Overtime rate | $19.16 an hour |
| Federal minimum | $7.25 an hour |
A 2026 law raises the rate to $13.75 on January 1, 2027 and $15.00 on January 1, 2028.
What $12.77 an hour pays
| A week (40 hours) | $510.80 |
|---|---|
| A 50-hour week with overtime | $702.35 |
| A month | $2,213 |
| A year | $26,562 |
| Take-home a year (single) | $22,769 |
Virginia and its neighbors
| State | Minimum wage | Full time, a year |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $12.77 | $26,562 |
| District of Columbia | $18.40 | $38,272 |
| Maryland | $15 | $31,200 |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $18,200 |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $15,080 |
For employers in Virginia
- Pay at least $12.77 an hour, and $13.75 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: Each public and internal posting for a job, promotion or transfer must disclose the wage, salary or good-faith wage/salary range; benefits are not required. Details →
- A full-time hire at $12.77 an hour costs more than $26,562 once payroll taxes and insurance are added. Employee cost calculator →
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov, checked October 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Minimum wage in other states
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Virginia in 2026?
$12.77 an hour, since January 1, 2026. A 2026 law raises the rate to $13.75 on January 1, 2027 and $15.00 on January 1, 2028.
How much is the Virginia minimum wage a year?
$26,562 a year for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks: $2,213 a month or $510.80 a week before tax. After federal and state taxes a single filer takes home about $22,769 a year.
Is the Virginia minimum wage going up?
Yes: to $13.75 an hour on January 1, 2027.
What is overtime pay at minimum wage in Virginia?
$19.16 an hour (time and a half) for hours over 40 in a workweek. A 50-hour week at minimum wage pays $702.35.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Virginia?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour if tips bring them up to $12.77; if not, the employer must pay the difference.
Which neighboring states pay more than Virginia?
District of Columbia ($18.40) and Maryland ($15).
Do cities in Virginia 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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