Connecticut Minimum Wage 2026
Last updated: · Source: Connecticut Department of Labor
Connecticut · Minimum Wage 2026
Effective 2026-01-01
Data last verified: 2026-07-09
Tipped Rate
$10.71/hr
Tip Credit
$6.23/hr
Exempt Salary
$1320.00/wk
Effective Date
2026-01-01
Connecticut Wage Calculator
Current Connecticut Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Connecticut is $16.94 per hour in 2026, effective 2026-01-01. This is above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers must pay the higher of the two rates, so the Connecticut rate applies. See the federal minimum wage page for how the FLSA floor applies nationwide.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay the highest minimum wage that legally applies to a work location, whether set federally, by the state, or by a city or county ordinance.
Connecticut Tipped Minimum Wage
In Connecticut, tipped employees may be paid a direct cash wage of $10.71/hr. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $6.23/hr, but the employee's total hourly earnings (direct wages + tips) must equal at least the full minimum wage of $16.94/hr. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
| Component | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cash wage | $10.71/hr | Minimum employer must pay directly |
| Tip credit | $6.23/hr | Maximum credit employer may claim |
| Total required | $16.94/hr | Wages + tips must reach this floor |
Connecticut Exempt Employee Salary Threshold (2026)
An "exempt" employee is a salaried worker who, by law, isn't entitled to overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Whether a salaried employee actually qualifies as exempt depends on both their pay and their job duties. Connecticut sets its own exempt salary threshold, which is higher than the federal level. Salaried exempt employees must earn at least $1320.00/week ($68,640/year) in 2026 to be exempt from overtime requirements.
City & County Minimum Wages in Connecticut
Connecticut permits cities and counties to set higher local minimum wage rates. The following major cities follow the state rate:
| City / County | 2026 Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | $16.94/hr (state rate) | Follows Connecticut state rate; no local minimum wage ordinance exists. |
| Bridgeport | $16.94/hr (state rate) | Follows Connecticut state rate; no local minimum wage ordinance exists. |
| New Haven | $16.94/hr (state rate) | Follows Connecticut state rate; no local minimum wage ordinance exists. |
| Stamford | $16.94/hr (state rate) | Follows Connecticut state rate; no local minimum wage ordinance exists. |
Connecticut Minimum Wage History
The following table shows minimum wage rates in Connecticut over the past several years.
| Year | Minimum Wage | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $16.94/hr | 2026-01-01 | |
| 2025 | $16.35/hr | 2025-01-01 | |
| 2024 | $15.69/hr | 2024-01-01 | |
| 2023 | $15.00/hr | 2023-06-01 | |
| 2022 | $14.00/hr | 2022-07-01 | |
| 2021 | $13.00/hr | 2021-08-01 | |
| 2020 | $12.00/hr | 2020-09-01 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum wage in Connecticut is $16.94 per hour in 2026, effective 2026-01-01. Tipped employees may be paid $10.71 per hour provided tips bring total earnings to at least $16.94/hr.
Connecticut's minimum wage rose to $16.94/hr on January 1, 2026, a 3.6% increase from $16.35/hr under the state's employment cost index indexing law (Public Act 19-4).
In Connecticut, tipped employees must be paid at least $10.71 per hour directly. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $6.23/hr, but total compensation including tips must reach $16.94/hr.
In Connecticut, salaried exempt employees must earn at least $1320.00/week ($68,640/year) to qualify for the overtime exemption, higher than the federal threshold.
Connecticut does not prohibit local minimum wage ordinances, but no cities currently have a rate higher than the state minimum of $16.94/hr.