On October 1, 2026, the minimum wage increased from $17.60 to 17.95. For a full-time worker working 35 hours, that is an increase of about $637.00 a year. This change happens annually since 2014 because workers won a law requiring the minimum wage to increase by the rate of inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). But a quarter and a dime aren’t much help in getting the bills paid!