Compare Your Salary to the 2026 Minimum Wage
Calculate how your salary compares to the 2026 minimum wage. See how many times the minimum wage you earn and how much above minimum you are.
- Data verified · June 2026
- Edited by Martín Rodríguez
- Formula verified by automated tests
- Private — runs on your device
See step-by-step calculation
See this calculation step by step
See period-by-period detail
How to use this calculator
Follow this tool’s steps, then review its formula, assumptions, and limits below.
When to use this calculator
- Salary benchmarking and compensation analysis for 2026
- Students, HR professionals, and labor economists
- Validate salary calculations before negotiations
- Understanding federal and state minimum wage implications
- Quick reference for wage comparisons
2026 Minimum Wage by Jurisdiction (highest rates + federal floor)
Enter the rate for your state or city in the calculator above to see how your salary compares.
| Jurisdiction | 2026 Hourly Rate | Annual Equivalent (2,080 hrs) | × Federal Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $17.95 | $37,336 | 2.48× |
| Washington State | $17.13 | $35,630 | 2.36× |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $35,235 | 2.34× |
| California | $16.90 | $35,152 | 2.33× |
| New York City | $17.00 | $35,360 | 2.34× |
| New York (rest of state) | $16.00 | $33,280 | 2.21× |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | $33,280 | 2.21× |
| New Jersey (large employers) | $15.92 | $33,114 | 2.20× |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $31,533 | 2.09× |
| Federal floor (20 states default to this) | $7.25 | $15,080 | 1.00× |
Fuente: U.S. Department of Labor; rates compiled from GovDocs and Paycom 2026 state minimum-wage trackers (effective Jan 1, 2026). The federal minimum of $7.25/hour has been unchanged since 2009, and 20 states still default to it. Employers must pay whichever rate is higher (federal, state, or local). Many cities (e.g. Seattle, Denver, Flagstaff) set rates above their state. Check your state labor department for the figure that applies to you.
U.S. Minimum Wage Mechanics (2026)
| Category | Rate | Annual Equivalent (2,080 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25/hour | $15,080/year |
| Federal tipped employee cash minimum | $2.13/hour | $4,430/year (tips must bring total to ≥$7.25/hr) |
| Full-time hours convention | 40 hrs/week × 52 weeks | 2,080 hours/year |
Fuente: U.S. Department of Labor / U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2026). The federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour has been in effect since 2009. State and local minimums may be higher; employers must pay whichever rate is greater.
How it works
How It's Calculated
This calculator compares your pay to a minimum wage you choose and returns two figures:
Multiple = your salary ÷ minimum wage
Percentage above = (your salary − minimum wage) ÷ minimum wage × 100Use the same time basis for both inputs — annual vs. annual, or hourly vs. hourly — so the comparison is apples to apples.
Worked example
You earn $60,000/year and want to compare against the federal minimum wage. At $7.25/hour, a full-time year (2,080 hours) equals about $15,080:
So you earn roughly four times the federal minimum.
Converting hourly to annual
To compare an hourly wage, multiply by the hours you work in a year. Full-time is conventionally 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks):
Federal vs. state minimums
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Many states and cities set higher minimums, and employers must pay whichever is higher. Tipped employees have a separate federal cash minimum of $2.13/hour, provided tips bring total pay to at least $7.25. Always enter the minimum wage that actually applies where you work for an accurate comparison.
Important Notes
This is a reference comparison, not financial advice. Minimum-wage levels change by legislation; check your state or city labor department for the current rate before relying on the result.
Example Calculation
Frequently asked questions
What is the federal minimum wage for 2026?
How do I calculate how many times minimum wage I earn?
Does this calculator work for hourly wages?
What's the difference between federal and state minimum wage?
Why should I compare my salary to minimum wage?
Does minimum wage apply to all employees?
How often does minimum wage change?
What's the difference between minimum wage and living wage?
Sources & references
- U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- U.S. Department of Labor — Tipped Employees Under the FLSA
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Construction Labor Wage Data, Masonry Workers
- U.S. Department of Labor – QDRO Fact Sheet
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — American Time Use Survey
- U.S. Department of Labor — Overtime Pay (FLSA)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Price Index Overview
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Consumer Expenditure Survey (Food & Entertainment CPI)
Methodology & trust
Finance calculator with its formula verified automatically against U.S. Department of Labor, per our editorial policy and methodology.
Updated: June 2026. Parameters are verified periodically against the cited sources.
Calculations run 100% in your browser. We do not store or transmit your data.
Indicative results. For critical decisions, consult a professional.
Rodríguez, M. (2026). Compare Your Salary to the 2026 Minimum Wage. Hacé Cuentas. https://hacecuentas.com/en/minimum-wage-2026-comparison
Content licensed under CC-BY 4.0 — reuse it citing the source with a link to Hacé Cuentas.