Virginia minimum wage
Minimum wage in Virginia, in effect since January 1, 2026
$12.77 an hour
That is $5.52 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in Virginia pay the higher state rate.
Next increase: $13.75 on January 1, 2027.
Tipped employees
Employers in Virginia can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, taking a tip credit of up to $10.64, as long as tips bring the employee to at least $12.77 for every hour worked. If they don't, the employer makes up the difference. An employee counts as tipped if they get more than $30 a month in tips.
Scheduled increases
| Effective date | Standard rate | Tipped cash wage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 (current) | $12.77 | $2.13 | In effect |
| January 1, 2027 | $13.75 | — | Announced |
How future increases are set
Adjusted annually by statute.
Exceptions and details
- $12.77 applies through Dec. 31, 2026.
- Tipped employees: $2.13 cash wage, tip credit up to $10.64, more than $30 a month in tips (DOL tipped table; DOLI page does not list tipped rates).
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Virginia?
- $12.77 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in Virginia?
- $2.13 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $12.77 an hour.
- When does the Virginia minimum wage go up?
- It rises to $13.75 on January 1, 2027.
Running payroll in Virginia?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry · 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.