Connecticut minimum wage 2026–2027: $16.94 now, $17.48 on January 1, 2027
Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 an hour, in force since January 1, 2026 – $9.69 more than the federal $7.25. The next change is on January 1, 2027: $17.48 an hour (+$0.54, 3.2%), announced by the state.
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Connecticut minimum wage pay calculator
Connecticut minimum wage rates
| Who | Rate | From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most workers (state rate) | $16.94 | January 1, 2026 | official |
| Scheduled increase | $17.48 | January 1, 2027 | announcement |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $6.38 | now | official |
When does the Connecticut minimum wage go up?
The next change is on January 1, 2027: $17.48 an hour (+$0.54, 3.2%), announced by the state. Adjusted each January 1 by the employment cost index.
Tipped workers in Connecticut
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $6.38 an hour and count up to $10.56 (hotel and restaurant staff); bartenders $8.23 cash wage of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $16.94 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference.
Connecticut minimum wage history
On January 1, 2020 the Connecticut minimum wage was $12.00; today it is $16.94 – up $4.94, or 41.2%.
| January 1 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $12.00 | $13.00 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $15.69 | $16.35 | $16.94 |
How Connecticut compares
Connecticut ranks 3rd of the 50 states and D.C. The average statewide minimum wage is $11.53; Connecticut's $16.94 is $5.41 above it. Neighbors: Massachusetts $15.00, New York $16.00–$17.00, Rhode Island $16.00.
Overtime and pay rules
Overtime: Over 40 hours a week, at one and a half times the regular rate. A full-time week at the minimum wage pays $677.60; with 5 overtime hours it is $804.65.
Good to know
- Hotel and restaurant workers may be paid a $6.38 cash wage and bartenders $8.23, with tips making up the rest (DOL tipped table).
Where to get help
The minimum wage in Connecticut is enforced by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Wage and Workplace Standards; wage claims: portal.ct.gov. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints in every state at 1-866-487-9243, and your name is kept confidential.
Connecticut minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Connecticut right now?
$16.94 an hour for most adult workers. Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 an hour, in force since January 1, 2026 – $9.69 more than the federal $7.25.
What will the Connecticut minimum wage be in 2027?
$17.48 an hour from January 1, 2027 – announced by the state.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Connecticut?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $6.38 an hour and count up to $10.56 (hotel and restaurant staff); bartenders $8.23 cash wage of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $16.94 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference.
How much is the Connecticut minimum wage per year?
At $16.94 an hour and 40 hours a week, $677.60 a week, about $2,936 a month and $35,235 a year before taxes. At the 2027 rate of $17.48: $36,358 a year.
Where do I report unpaid minimum wage in Connecticut?
With the Connecticut Department of Labor, Wage and Workplace Standards – or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (1-866-487-9243). Keep your pay stubs and a record of your hours.
Other states
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws, Consolidated Minimum Wage Table and Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026 editions), the DOL's history table, and each state's and city's own labor department pages, linked on every state page. Checked October 16, 2026. Rates are for most adult, non-exempt workers; some jobs, industries and employers are exempt or have other rates. This is general information, not legal advice – the state labor department has the final word.