TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Oct. 25, 2026) — If you work an hourly job in Florida, the floor under your paycheck just reached a milestone. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on Sept. 30, 2026, according to the Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce) [1].

How we got here

On Nov. 3, 2020, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to raise the state minimum wage step by step until it reached $15.00 an hour in September 2026 [1]. The last step before this one took effect Sept. 30, 2025, when the wage rose to $14.00 an hour [2]. So this year's raise is $1.00 an hour.

For a full-time worker, that $1.00 adds up to about $2,080 more over a year of 40-hour weeks. That's our arithmetic, not a state estimate.

What tipped workers get

Employers can count some tips toward the minimum wage, but they still have to pay a direct wage. FloridaCommerce says the direct wage equals the minimum wage minus the 2003 federal tip credit of $3.02. That works out to $11.98 an hour as of Sept. 30, 2026 [3]. A year earlier it was $10.98 [2].

What happens next

FloridaCommerce says the $15.00 rate runs from Sept. 30, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027 [1]. Starting in September 2027, the minimum wage will again be adjusted every year for inflation, with each new rate taking effect the following Jan. 1 [3].

Rules for employers

Employers must pay the state minimum wage for all hours worked in Florida. For state purposes, "employer," "employee" and "wage" mean the same thing they do under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act [3]. State law requires employers who must pay the Florida minimum wage to post a notice where workers can easily see it [4]. FloridaCommerce offers the notice in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole [1].

Workers' rights under the law

The state's notice to employees lists several protections [2][4]:

  • Employers may not retaliate against workers who claim the minimum wage.
  • Workers can file a complaint about an employer they believe isn't complying, and can tell others about it.
  • A worker who isn't paid the minimum wage can notify the employer. If it isn't fixed within 15 days, the worker can sue for back wages, damages and attorney's fees.
  • An employer found to have intentionally violated the law faces a $1,000 fine per violation, payable to the state.

The state Attorney General can also bring a civil action to enforce the minimum wage [3].

Where to check

FloridaCommerce posts the current rate, posters and a history of Florida's minimum wage since 2000 on its website [1].

Sources

  1. FloridaCommerce, "Florida Minimum Wage": https://floridajobs.org/florida-minimum-wage
  2. FloridaCommerce, 2025-2026 Florida minimum wage poster (PDF): https://floridajobs.org/docs/default-source/business-growth-and-partnerships/for-employers/posters-and-required-notices/2025-minimum-wage/2025-minimum-wage-poster---english-031302926.pdf?sfvrsn=912eb6fe_1
  3. FloridaCommerce, "Florida's Minimum Wage, Updated September 30, 2026" (announcement PDF): https://floridajobs.org/docs/business-growth-and-partnerships/for-employers/posters-and-required-notices/2026-minimum-wage/2026-minimum-wage-announcement799fb962a1e242c0b4bce1b9a711d677.pdf?sfvrsn=397dfbd5_1
  4. Florida Statutes, Section 448.109 (2026): https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/0448.109

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