Connecticut minimum wage
Minimum wage in Connecticut, in effect since January 1, 2026
$16.94 an hour
That is $9.69 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in Connecticut pay the higher state rate.
The rate differs by employer; see the table below.
Next increase: $17.48 on January 1, 2027.
Rates by employer
| Employer or category | Hourly minimum | Tipped cash wage |
|---|---|---|
| Bartenders in restaurant and hotel restaurant occupations Plus gratuities (Mandatory Order No. 8). | $16.94 | $8.23 |
Tipped employees
Employers in Connecticut can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $6.38 an hour, taking a tip credit of up to $10.56, as long as tips bring the employee to at least $16.94 for every hour worked. If they don't, the employer makes up the difference.
Scheduled increases
| Effective date | Standard rate | Tipped cash wage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 (current) | $16.94 | $6.38 | In effect |
| January 1, 2027 | $17.48 | — | Announced Governor's announcement, August 5, 2026 (Employment Cost Index +3.2%). Tipped cash wages for 2027 not stated in the release. |
How future increases are set
Adjusted every January 1 by the percentage change in the federal Employment Cost Index for the 12 months ending June 30 (Public Act 19-4).
Exceptions and details
- In restaurant and hotel restaurant occupations, waitstaff may be paid $6.38 an hour and bartenders $8.23 an hour plus gratuities (CT DOL wage order DOL-79, rev. 1/26).
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Connecticut?
- $16.94 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in Connecticut?
- $6.38 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $16.94 an hour.
- When does the Connecticut minimum wage go up?
- It rises to $17.48 on January 1, 2027.
Running payroll in Connecticut?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- Connecticut Office of the Governor / Connecticut Department of Labor · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
- Connecticut Office of the Governor / Connecticut Department of Labor · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.