Virginia's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Virginia is $12.77 an hour, $5.52 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $13.75 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $26,562 a year before taxes. Source Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $22,770 a year, or $875.75 every two weeks.
What the Virginia minimum wage pays
| At $12.77 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($13.75) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $12.77 | $13.75 |
| Per 8-hour day | $102.16 | $110.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $510.80 | $550.00 |
| Every two weeks | $1,021.60 | $1,100.00 |
| Per month | $2,213.47 | $2,383.33 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $26,561.60 | $28,600.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $875.75 | $935.76 |
| Take-home per year | $22,769.50 | $24,329.76 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Virginia 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 $13,281 a year and about $12,187 after taxes.
Virginia 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 | Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 an hour in 2026. It rises to $13.75 an hour on January 1, 2027, and to $15.00 an hour on January 1, 2028. | Virginia DOLI, home page |
| Scheduled increases | State law sets $15.00 an hour from January 1, 2028. From January 1, 2029 the rate will be adjusted each year, always at least the federal minimum wage. | Code of Virginia 40.1-28.10 |
| Tipped employees | Your employer may count tips toward the minimum wage. If you can show with clear and convincing evidence that you received less in tips than your employer counted, only the lower amount can be counted. | Code of Virginia 40.1-28.9 |
| Overtime | Virginia follows federal overtime rules (1.5 times your regular rate after 40 hours a week). State law lets workers sue in Virginia for unpaid federal overtime. | Code of Virginia 40.1-29.2 |
How Virginia's minimum wage compares
Virginia has the 23rd-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC.
The typical (median) worker in Virginia earns $26.78 an hour, so the minimum wage is 48% of the median wage. 10% of Virginia workers earn less than $14.68 an hour and 25% less than $18.14 (BLS, May 2025, all 4,109,320 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Virginia, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $13.74 | 3,130 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $14.40 | 12,520 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $14.46 | 8,920 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $14.48 | 104,460 |
| Parking Attendants | $14.48 | 1,830 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $14.57 | 70,070 |
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 $26,562 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 | $20 |
| 1 child | $4,000 | $4,427 |
| 2 children | $6,753 | $7,316 |
| 3 children or more | $7,668 | $8,231 |
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, $26,562 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $664 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,328. Source
Virginia minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Virginia?
$12.77 an hour. It rises to $13.75 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the Virginia minimum wage a year?
$26,562 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,213 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $22,770.
How much is the Virginia minimum wage after taxes?
About $875.75 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Virginia taxes.
Is Virginia's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $13.75 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $2,038 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the Virginia minimum wage?
$19.16 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Vermont minimum wage ($14.42) · Alaska minimum wage ($14.00) · Michigan minimum wage ($13.73) · Nevada minimum wage ($12.00) · New Mexico minimum wage ($12.00) · South Dakota minimum wage ($11.85) · Minnesota minimum wage ($11.41) · Arkansas minimum wage ($11.00)
Related
Virginia paycheck calculator · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $12.77
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.