Florida’s Minimum Wage Reaches $15.00 on September 30, 2026
Effective September 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Florida will increase to $15.00 per hour, and the tipped minimum wage in Florida will increase to $11.98 per hour.
Employers need to prepare now for any necessary updates to their payroll systems to ensure employees are paid correctly for all hours worked beginning September 30, 2026.
Employers should also prepare to update the required minimum wage poster and provide updated tip credit notices to reflect the new Florida minimum wage rate.
Why Did the Minimum Wage Go Up?
The increase stems from a state constitutional amendment that raises the minimum wage by $1.00 each year until the minimum wage for employees working in Florida reaches $15.00, which will occur at the end of this month on September 30, 2026.
Employers may continue to take a $3.02 tip credit towards the minimum wage payable to their tipped employees working in Florida. Accordingly, the minimum wage for tipped employees will increase to $11.98 on September 30, 2026.
Will the Minimum Wage Change Every Year?
Yes, but with a brief hiatus. The following schedule sets forth the current timeline of minimum wage increases to assist employers with Florida employees in planning and budgeting:
|
Effective Date |
Full Minimum Wage | Tipped Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2026 | $15.00 | $11.98 |
| January 1, 2028 | TBD* | TBD* |
*On September 30, 2027, and each September 30th thereafter, the State of Florida will calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate by increasing the current minimum wage rate by the rate of inflation during the twelve months prior to each September 1st using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, CPI-W, or a successor index as calculated by the United States Department of Labor. Each adjusted Minimum Wage rate calculated shall be published and take effect on the following January 1st.
Accordingly, after the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour at the end of this month -- on September 30, 2026 -- the next change in minimum wage will be calculated September 30, 2027, and will take effect on January 1, 2028.
In addition, if in the future the federal minimum wage exceeds $15.00 per hour or otherwise exceeds Florida’s then-minimum wage rate, the higher federal minimum wage will control.
Are There Special Rules for Tipped Employees?
This year, employers must provide tipped employees with the federally required tip credit notice on or before September 30, 2026, when Florida’s new minimum wage rates go into effect.
After this year, employers must provide tipped employees with the federally required tip credit notice on or before January 1, 2028, and then on or before January 1st each year thereafter, when Florida’s adjusted minimum wage rates go into effect.
Please contact any Lowndes Labor and Employment Law attorney should you have any questions about Florida’s Minimum Wage Law, the Fair Labor Standards Act, or any other employment law issues impacting your business.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. Please do not act or refrain from acting based on anything you read here. Please review the full disclaimer for more information. Relying on the information provided in this article or communicating with Lowndes through our website does not create an attorney/client relationship.
