Missouri’s minimum wage is $13.75 an hour. What will it be in 2026?
After Missouri voters approved Proposition A in November 2024’s general election, the minimum wage for workers is once again set to increase in 2026.
Before Proposition A passed, Missouri’s minimum wage was set to be indexed to inflation. According to the Missouri Department of Labor, 2024’s minimum wage of $12.30 was set to rise to $12.65 in 2025. But Proposition A bumped that increase up by over $1, landing workers at $13.75.
Missouri workers will now make $15 per hour, starting Jan. 1, 2026.
This is the last part of Proposition A to go into effect, since a bill signed by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe repealed future minimum wage increases based on inflation and Missouri workers’ paid sick leave protections after voters overwhelmingly supported them last year.
Missouri will be one of 18 states to raise its minimum wage in 2026. The state is also one of six that will reach $15 an hour, making 2026 the first time more workers will live in states with at least a $15 minimum wage than workers living in states with just the federal minimum, according to Business Insider.
Tipped employees in Missouri must be paid at least half the statewide minimum wage per hour, with the rest made up in tips. As of Jan. 1, that will make the tipped wage $7.50 per hour. However, if tips don’t bring workers up to $15 per hour, employers must pay their employees enough to make up the difference.
Government employers, like social service agencies and school districts, are exempt from Missouri’s the new minimum wage requirement. So are retail or service businesses whose annual gross sales made less than $500,000.
What is Kansas’ minimum wage in 2026?
While Missouri’s minimum wage is on the rise, Kansas’ remains at the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. That’s notable since three of the four states bordering Kansas will increase their minimum wages on New Year’s Day in 2026:
- Colorado: $14.81 to $15.16
- Missouri: $13.75 to $15
- Nebraska: $13.50 to $15
Oklahoma is the only state bordering Kansas that remains at the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Iowa, Pennsylvania and Texas also have their minimum wage set at the federal minimum.
What are other states’ minimum wage?
Other states across the United States that will increase their minimum wage include:
- Arizona: $14.70 to $15.15
- California: $16.50 to $16.90
- Connecticut: $16.35 to $16.94
- Hawaii: $14 to $16
- Maine: $14.65 to $15.10
- Michigan: $12.48 to $13.73
- Minnesota: $11.13 to $11.41
- Montana: $10.55 to $10.85
- New Jersey: $15.49 to $15.92
- New York: $15.50 to $16
- Rhode Island: $15 to $16S
- South Dakota: $11.50 to $11.86
- Vermont: $14.01 to $14.42
- Virginia: $12.41 to $12.77
- Washington: $16.66 to $17.13
