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Economic Policy Institute (EPI)

Economic Policy Institute (EPI)

Progressive Think Tank

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The $15 tipping point: states bypass Congress on wage floors

Rule Changes

Leading research and advocacy organization supporting wage increases

On January 1, 2026, nineteen states raised their minimum wages—some by pennies, others by dollars—while Congress let the federal floor sit untouched at $7.25 for the sixteenth straight year. Washington state now leads at $17.13 an hour. Missouri and Nebraska hit $15. Hawaii jumped $2 in one leap. The increases will pump $5 billion into the pockets of 8.3 million workers this year.

Updated Jan 30