Statutory minimum wage in Connecticut (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 an hour from 1 January 2026 and $17.48 from 1 January 2027, according to the state Department of Labor.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $16.94 per hour [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | 1 January 2027 [1] |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | $17.48 per hour [1] |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | In the hotel and restaurant industry the employer must pay at least $6.38 an hour to tipped employees and $8.23 an hour to bartenders, with tips making up the rest of the minimum wage. [2] |
| Overtime payEmployees | 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in the workweek; no daily, weekend or holiday overtime unless agreed. Some employees, such as agricultural workers, are exempt. [3] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | Workers under 18 (except emancipated minors) may be paid 85% of the minimum wage, or $10.10 if higher, for their first 90 days of employment; then the full minimum wage applies. [2] |
Notes
- Separate pages for restaurant and hotel workers and for the mercantile trade are linked from the Division's page and were not read. Some local governments set rates above the state minimum; the US Department of Labor page does not show these.
Sources
- Connecticut Department of Labor, Wage and Workplace Standards Division: Wage and Workplace Standards Division (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes of Connecticut, Chapter 558, Wages (secs. 31-58 and 31-60) (Internet Archive snapshot of 17 July 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Connecticut Department of Labor, Wage and Workplace Standards Division: Wage and Hour - Minimum Wage/Overtime (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Connecticut and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Yes | $16.94 per hour | Under 18: 85% for first 90 days | 1 January 2027 | $17.48 per hour |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $15.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New York | Yes | Employees, NYC, Long Island, Westchester: $17.00 per hour (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) Employees, Rest of state: $16.00 per hour (rest of state) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Rhode Island | Yes (state law) | $16.00 per hour | Ages 14-15: 75% (up to 24 hours a week) | 1 January 2027 | $17.00 per hour |
More rules in Connecticut
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal, 21+, within limits · Growing at home: 3 mature + 3 immature, max 12/household
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: Set by posted limits · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): Posted limit; 55 mph maximum
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers excepted) · Minimum age to buy: 16 (sparklers and fountains only)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Banned at 4 in or more of edge · Locking or one-handed knives: Banned if blade over 1.5 in
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all seats · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all seats
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.