Virginia Minimum Wage

The Virginia minimum wage for 2026 and 2027, the tipped and youth rates, and how the rate is set each year. Every figure links to its official source below.

Virginia minimum wage, 2026 and 2027

Rate	2026 (now)	2027
Standard minimum wage	$12.77	$13.75
Tipped employees (cash wage) Federal minimum cash wage; tips must bring total earnings up to the Virginia rate.	$2.13	$2.13

Current rate in effect since January 1, 2026; next statewide change: the rate rises to $13.75 on January 1, 2027 and to $15.00 on January 1, 2028.

Tipped workers

The Department of Labor and Industry says an employer may pay a tipped employee no less than $2.13 an hour under the federal law, but wages plus tips must meet Virginia's minimum wage.

Minors, trainees and other rates

Employees enrolled in an established employer on-the-job or other training program for up to 90 days, under standards set by the Commissioner, must be paid at least the federal minimum wage or 75 percent of the Virginia minimum wage, whichever is greater.

Local minimum wages in Virginia

This page lists no city or county minimum wages for Virginia; the state rate is the one the Department of Labor and Industry publishes.

How the Virginia minimum wage is set

Virginia's rate is written into Va. Code § 40.1-28.10: $12.77 for 2026, $13.75 for 2027 and $15.00 for 2028 (added by 2026 legislation). From January 1, 2029 the rate is the prior rate adjusted by the change in the CPI-U for the most recent calendar year, never less than zero; the Commissioner sets it by October 1, 2028 and each year after that.

What does $12.77 an hour leave you after tax in Virginia? Run it through the paycheck calculator.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in Virginia in 2026?

$12.77 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.

What will the Virginia minimum wage be in 2027?

The statewide rate rises to $13.75 on January 1, 2027 and to $15.00 on January 1, 2028.

What is the tipped minimum wage in Virginia?

The Department of Labor and Industry says an employer may pay a tipped employee no less than $2.13 an hour under the federal law, but wages plus tips must meet Virginia's minimum wage.

Can minors be paid less than the minimum wage in Virginia?

How is the Virginia minimum wage adjusted each year?

Do cities in Virginia have a higher minimum wage?

This page lists no city or county minimum wages for Virginia; the state rate is the one the Department of Labor and Industry publishes.

Minimum wage in other states

Every state side by side: minimum wage by state 2026 and minimum wage by state 2027.

California Minimum Wage

$16.90 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Florida Minimum Wage

$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Ohio Minimum Wage

$11.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Michigan Minimum Wage

$13.73 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Arizona Minimum Wage

$15.15 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Colorado Minimum Wage

$15.16 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Washington Minimum Wage

$17.13 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Illinois Minimum Wage

$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.