Connecticut's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Connecticut is $16.94 an hour, $9.69 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $17.48 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $35,235 a year before taxes. Source Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $29,478 a year, or $1,133.76 every two weeks.
What the Connecticut minimum wage pays
| At $16.94 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($17.48) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $16.94 | $17.48 |
| Per 8-hour day | $135.52 | $139.84 |
| Per 40-hour week | $677.60 | $699.20 |
| Every two weeks | $1,355.20 | $1,398.40 |
| Per month | $2,936.27 | $3,029.87 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $35,235.20 | $36,358.40 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $1,133.76 | $1,164.95 |
| Take-home per year | $29,477.76 | $30,288.70 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Connecticut income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $17,618 a year and about $16,017 after taxes.
Connecticut minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 an hour from January 1 through December 31, 2026. It is indexed every year on January 1. | Connecticut DOL, Minimum Wage Administrative Poster 2026 |
| Minimum wage in 2027 | Connecticut's minimum wage rises from $16.94 to $17.48 an hour on January 1, 2027, under the state's yearly indexing. | Office of Governor Lamont, Press Release (August 2026) |
| Tipped workers | In restaurants and hotels, waitstaff can be paid $6.38 an hour and bartenders $8.23 an hour plus tips, as long as tips bring them to at least the full minimum wage. | Connecticut DOL, Restaurant and Hotel Minimum Wage Poster 2026 |
| Overtime | Overtime is 1.5 times your regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. There is no daily, weekend or holiday overtime unless agreed. Restaurant and hotel workers get time and a half for the seventh consecutive day. | Connecticut DOL, Wage and Hour - Minimum Wage/Overtime |
How Connecticut's minimum wage compares
Connecticut has the 3rd-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC.
The typical (median) worker in Connecticut earns $28.70 an hour, so the minimum wage is 59% of the median wage. 10% of Connecticut workers earn less than $17.04 an hour and 25% less than $19.42 (BLS, May 2025, all 1,696,170 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Connecticut, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $16.45 | 3,670 |
| Parking Attendants | $16.52 | 2,240 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $16.61 | 5,810 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $16.69 | 4,490 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $16.76 | 2,440 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $16.80 | 1,130 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $35,235 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $2,614 | $3,776 |
| 2 children | $4,927 | $6,458 |
| 3 children or more | $5,842 | $7,373 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $35,235 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $881 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,762. Source
Connecticut minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Connecticut?
$16.94 an hour. It rises to $17.48 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the Connecticut minimum wage a year?
$35,235 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,936 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $29,478.
How much is the Connecticut minimum wage after taxes?
About $1,133.76 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Connecticut taxes.
Is Connecticut's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $17.48 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $1,123 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the Connecticut minimum wage?
$25.41 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
District of Columbia minimum wage ($18.40) · Washington minimum wage ($17.13) · California minimum wage ($16.90) · Hawaii minimum wage ($16.00) · New York minimum wage ($16.00) · Rhode Island minimum wage ($16.00) · New Jersey minimum wage ($15.92) · Oregon minimum wage ($15.55)
Related
Connecticut paycheck calculator · $17 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $16.94
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.