Connecticut Minimum Wage 2026
The minimum wage in Connecticut is $16.94 per hour in 2026. That is $9.69 more than the federal minimum of $7.25/hr.
Connecticut minimum-wage earnings calculator
Gross (before tax) earnings at the Connecticut minimum wage. Monthly and annual figures assume you work the same hours every week for 52 weeks. Federal and state income tax, Social Security and Medicare are not deducted.
Note Increased to $16.94/hr on Jan 1, 2026 and is now indexed to inflation each January. Tipped waitstaff have a $6.38 cash wage ($8.23 for bartenders).
Connecticut minimum-wage earnings at $16.94/hr
| Hours / week | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20h | $339 | $1,468 | $17,618 |
| 30h | $508 | $2,202 | $26,426 |
| 40h (full time) | $678 | $2,936 | $35,235 |
Gross (before-tax) pay. Effective 2026; some cities set higher local minimums, and rates change — verify with the Connecticut labor department.
What Connecticut’s minimum wage means
- 01 At $16.94/hr, a full-time week of 40 hours pays $677.60 before tax.
- 02 Over a year of full-time work (2,080 hours) that is about $35,235 gross.
- 03 Your take-home pay is lower after federal and state income tax, Social Security and Medicare are withheld.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Connecticut in 2026?
The Connecticut minimum wage in 2026 is $16.94 per hour. That is $9.69 more than the federal minimum of $7.25/hr. Increased to $16.94/hr on Jan 1, 2026 and is now indexed to inflation each January. Tipped waitstaff have a $6.38 cash wage ($8.23 for bartenders).
What is Connecticut's minimum wage per year?
Working full time (40 hours a week, 2,080 hours a year) at $16.94/hr earns about $35,235 a year before tax — roughly $2,936 a month or $678 a week.
Is Connecticut's minimum wage going up?
Increased to $16.94/hr on Jan 1, 2026 and is now indexed to inflation each January. Tipped waitstaff have a $6.38 cash wage ($8.23 for bartenders).
What is the tipped minimum wage in Connecticut?
Tipped employees in Connecticut can be paid a cash wage of $6.38/hr, as long as tips bring their total to at least the $16.94/hr minimum. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
Do cities in Connecticut have a higher minimum wage?
Possibly. Some cities and counties set local minimum wages above the state rate, and those local rates apply where they are higher. Always verify the rate for your specific city with the Connecticut labor department.
Is this Connecticut minimum wage calculator free?
Yes. It is completely free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is uploaded anywhere.
Northeast minimum wage
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