'A National Disgrace': 19 States to Raise Minimum Wage But ...
One Fair Wage noted that "tipped workers can still legally be paid as little as $2.13 an hour, a system advocates describe as a direct legacy of slavery."
www.commondreams.orgHere’s the latest you asked for about the federal minimum wage in 2026.
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The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour in 2026. Several outlets and policy analyses note that while the federal baseline has not changed, many states and localities are raising their own minimum wages to higher levels starting in 2026.[3][4][6]
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Federal contractor wage rules did see updates in some contexts. The Department of Labor has issued new guidance or rules affecting minimum pay for federal contractors, which can indirectly influence wage floors for certain workers. If you work with or hire federal contractors, verify current contract wage clauses.[10]
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On the state and local level, roughly two dozen states and numerous municipalities planned or implemented increases in 2026, with many targeting $15+ per hour and some adjustments pegged to inflation or CPI. Washington, California, and New York are among the places with notably higher rates.[2][6][7][3]
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When considering national coverage, it’s important to distinguish between the federal baseline and state/local changes. The federal floor remains at $7.25, but the cumulative effect is a higher overall wage floor for many workers due to state and local actions.[7][3]
Illustration (quick snapshot)
- Federal base: $7.25/hour (no change in 2026)[3]
- States/locales raising wages: numerous instances, including top-end rates around $16–$17/hour in some states[2][3]
If you’d like, I can compile a state-by-state list for 2026 or focus on specific regions (e.g., your area in Marseille) to see how U.S. wage trends might compare to local French minimum wages. Also, I can pull the most recent official postings from the Department of Labor or state labor departments if you want primary sources.