Free Minimum Wage Calculator (2026)

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Minimum wage varies dramatically across the United States — from the federal floor of $7.25 per hour to over $16.00 per hour in states like Washington and California. Whether you are a worker checking if your employer is paying correctly, an employer ensuring compliance, or someone evaluating a job offer, knowing exactly what minimum wage translates to on an annual, monthly, and weekly basis is essential. Use our free minimum wage calculator to select your state, see your 2026 minimum wage rate, and instantly convert it into every pay period — including take-home pay after taxes.

free minimum wage calculator

Free Minimum Wage Calculator

See your 2026 state minimum wage converted to annual salary and take-home pay


Use this if your city has a higher minimum or you want to compare a specific rate

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How This Free Minimum Wage Calculator Works

Step 1: Select Your State

Choose your state from the dropdown to see its 2026 minimum wage rate. The free minimum wage calculator includes all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, with projected rates for 2026 based on enacted legislation and scheduled increases.

Step 2: Customize Your Hours and Schedule

Select full-time (40 hours), part-time, or enter custom hours per week. You can also adjust weeks worked per year to account for unpaid time off, giving you an accurate annual estimate rather than a theoretical maximum.

Step 3: Enter a Custom Rate (Optional)

Many cities have minimum wages higher than the state level. If your city — such as Seattle, San Francisco, or New York City — has a local minimum, enter it as a custom rate to override the state default. The free minimum wage calculator will use whichever rate you provide.

Step 4: Review Your Pay Breakdown and Take-Home Estimate

The calculator converts your hourly rate into annual, monthly, biweekly, weekly, and daily gross pay. It also estimates your take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare — so you can see exactly how much hits your bank account at minimum wage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the federal minimum wage for 2026?

The federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour as of 2026. It has not changed since July 24, 2009, making it the longest period without a federal minimum wage increase in U.S. history. However, 30+ states and many cities have enacted minimum wages higher than the federal floor. Use our free minimum wage calculator to find the rate that applies in your state.

Which state has the highest minimum wage?

For 2026, Washington and California are projected to have among the highest minimum wages at approximately $16.66 and $16.50 per hour, respectively. The District of Columbia leads all jurisdictions at $17.50. Several cities — including Seattle, San Francisco, and New York City — have local minimums that exceed their state rates.

How much is minimum wage per year?

At the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) earns $15,080 per year before taxes. At California’s $16.50 rate, the same schedule produces $34,320 per year. The free minimum wage calculator shows you the exact annual amount for any state or custom rate.

Do I get the state or federal minimum wage?

You are entitled to whichever is higher. If your state minimum wage exceeds the federal rate, your employer must pay the state rate. If you work in a city with a local minimum wage higher than the state, the city rate applies. Employers must always pay the highest applicable minimum wage.

Is minimum wage enough to live on?

At the federal minimum wage, a full-time worker earns approximately $15,080 per year before taxes. The federal poverty line for a single individual is approximately $15,060 (2024), meaning a federal minimum wage worker hovers right at the poverty threshold. In high-cost states, even higher minimum wages may fall short of a livable income. This is why many states and cities have implemented significantly higher minimums.

Are tipped workers paid the same minimum wage?

In many states, tipped employees (servers, bartenders) receive a lower base wage — the federal tipped minimum is just $2.13 per hour, with the expectation that tips bring total compensation above $7.25. However, some states require tipped employees to be paid the full state minimum regardless of tips. Check your state’s specific tipped wage rules.

Does minimum wage apply to salaried workers?

Yes. Salaried non-exempt workers must still earn at least the equivalent of minimum wage for all hours worked. For example, at $7.25/hour with a 40-hour week, the minimum annual salary equivalent is $15,080. Exempt salaried employees must meet the federal salary threshold of $58,656 (2026 projected) to qualify for overtime exemption.

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Understanding Minimum Wage in the United States

Minimum wage law in the United States is a patchwork system where federal, state, and local governments each set their own wage floors. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour — unchanged since 2009 — serves as the absolute baseline, but the majority of Americans now live in jurisdictions with higher minimums. As of 2026, over 30 states and dozens of cities have enacted minimum wages above the federal level, and several states have indexed their rates to inflation, meaning their minimums increase automatically each year.

Understanding what minimum wage actually translates to in annual income is critical for workers, employers, and policymakers. A full-time worker at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 earns just $15,080 per year before taxes — barely above the federal poverty line for a single individual. At Washington state’s projected $16.66 rate, the same 40-hour workweek produces $34,653 annually. This gap of nearly $20,000 illustrates why minimum wage is one of the most actively debated policy issues in America today, and why using a free minimum wage calculator is important for understanding your real earning potential.

How State Minimum Wages Are Set

States adopt minimum wages through legislation, ballot initiatives, or administrative action. Several states — including Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and California — have passed laws that automatically adjust the minimum wage each year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), eliminating the need for repeated legislative action. Other states set fixed rates that require new legislation to change. A few states — Georgia and Wyoming — have state minimum wages below the federal rate, but the federal floor of $7.25 still applies to most workers in those states under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). For the most current state-by-state rates, refer to the U.S. Department of Labor minimum wage state map.

The Take-Home Pay Reality at Minimum Wage

Gross pay is only part of the picture. Even minimum wage workers owe federal payroll taxes — 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare — reducing every dollar by 7.65% before income tax. At low income levels, the standard deduction ($16,250 for single filers in 2026) often eliminates most or all federal income tax liability. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can further boost take-home income for qualifying low-income workers, potentially resulting in a negative effective tax rate. Our free minimum wage calculator estimates federal deductions so you can see the difference between your gross and net pay.

City Minimum Wages and Local Ordinances

Many major cities have enacted local minimum wages that exceed their state rates. Seattle ($19.97 for large employers), San Francisco ($18.67), and New York City ($16.50) are among the highest in the country. Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis have also adopted higher local minimums. Workers should always check their city’s rate in addition to the state rate — the highest applicable rate is the one your employer must pay. For a comprehensive list of local minimum wages, visit the Economic Policy Institute minimum wage tracker.

Whether you earn the federal minimum or a higher state or city rate, converting your hourly wage to an annual salary using a free minimum wage calculator helps you budget accurately, compare job offers across different locations, and understand the true financial impact of minimum wage policy on your household.

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