US minimum wage 2026 — $7.25 federal floor
The FLSA rate is still $7.25 an hour. If your state or city posts a higher wage, your employer must pay the higher one. Convert hours to gross, then check take-home.
Updated 3 Sep 2026 Official sites linked Free · no account
Hourly → weekly / year
- Weekly gross
- $290.00
- Monthly (÷12)
- $1,256.67
- Yearly (×52)
- $15,080.00
Gross only — tax, NI/FICA, overtime and salary sacrifice are extra.
US paycheck after tax →Gross pay at $7.25 (no overtime)
| Hours / week | Weekly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | $145 | $7,540 |
| 30 | $218 | $11,310 |
| 40 | $290 | $15,080 |
Federal vs state (DOL rule)
USDOL: when federal, state and local rates differ, the employee is entitled to the highest. Type your actual hourly rate in the calculator if it is above $7.25. Then open the paycheck tool for that state’s income tax.
- 1
Start with the federal floor
$7.25 an hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act unless Congress changes it.
- 2
Read your state (and city)
If the state or city rate is higher, the employer must pay the higher one. DOL’s consolidated table is the index.
- 3
Convert hours to gross
Hourly × hours. Overtime (usually 1.5× after 40 hours for non-exempt) is extra.
- 4
Estimate take-home
Federal income tax, FICA and state tax. Use the paycheck calculator for that state.
FAQs
What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?
The FLSA federal floor remains $7.25 an hour unless Congress changes it. Many states and cities require more — the employee gets the highest applicable rate.
Does $7.25 apply in California or New York?
Not for most jobs. Those states set a higher minimum. Use DOL’s state list, then our paycheck calculator with that state selected.
Tipped workers?
Federal tipped cash wage can be $2.13 if tips bring the worker to $7.25. Many states ban or limit tip credit. Check your state labour department and DOL.
Youth or training wage?
FLSA allows a limited youth minimum in some cases. State law may forbid it. GO/DOL fact sheets — not this calculator — decide.
Is $7.25 × 40 hours a living wage?
It is the federal legal floor, not a budget standard. Compare after-tax pay in your state with the paycheck tool.
Who enforces underpayment?
USDOL Wage and Hour Division and state labour agencies. We do not file WHD complaints.
Official sources
Use these sites for the legal answer. We summarise; they decide.
Federal floor only unless you type a higher rate. Local city minimums (e.g. NYC, Seattle) are not in the default $7.25. Not legal advice.