Florida minimum wage in 2026 (and 2027)

Why Florida's raise lands on September 30

Many states change pay on January 1. Florida's scheduled steps fall on September 30, and 2026 was the final one: $14.00 became $15.00 on September 30, 2026. Any payroll period that includes hours worked on or after that date has to use the new rate for those hours.

After the $15.00 step, the rate moves to yearly inflation adjustments. Our research found the next adjustment is calculated on September 30, 2027. On when the adjusted rate takes effect, the only source we found is secondary: the Florida law firm Lowndes says January 1, 2028. We have not confirmed that date against the Constitution's text. Until the state publishes a figure, budget for $15.00 through 2027 and check the state's minimum wage notice each fall.

Tipped pay in Florida: a fixed $3.02 credit

Florida lets employers count tips toward the minimum, but the tip credit is fixed at $3.02 an hour rather than the federal $5.12. That puts the tipped cash wage at $11.98 from September 30, 2026 ($15.00 minus $3.02), up from $10.98 earlier in the year. If cash wage plus tips falls short of $15.00 for the hours worked, you pay the difference.

For a restaurant, the gap with neighboring states is wide. A Georgia or Alabama server can be paid $2.13 in cash; a Florida server cannot be paid less than $11.98. Our restaurant payroll comparison covers tools that track the tip credit each shift.

Florida minimum wage pay, before and after the raise

Annual pay assumes full time, 2,080 hours:

• $14.00 (January 1 to September 29, 2026): $14.00 x 2,080 = $29,120.00 a year, or $2,426.67 a month.
• $15.00 (from September 30, 2026): $15.00 x 2,080 = $31,200.00 a year, or $2,600.00 a month and $600.00 a week.

Overtime follows the federal FLSA: an hour past 40 in a workweek costs $22.50 at the new minimum ($15.00 x 1.5). Our research found no separate Florida overtime rule.

What Florida employers pay on top of $15.00

Florida has no state income tax and no state paid leave program, so this is close to the full tax bill. The reemployment tax rate changes after your first years based on claims. Workers comp is the main cost not shown. More on registration and rates is in the Florida payroll tax guide.

Setting up Florida payroll

One error to watch this year is a payroll run that straddles September 30 and pays the whole period at the old rate. Payroll software that stores rate changes by date avoids it. Gusto's Simple plan lists $49 a month and $6 per paid person for one state (checked October 16, 2026). Its standing against others is in our payroll software comparison, or test different wages in the employee cost calculator.

For every state's rate side by side, use the minimum wage by state table.