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Minimum Wage in Connecticut

Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 per hour in 2026, tipped hotel and restaurant workers may be paid $6.38 (bartenders $8.23), and it rises to $17.48 on January 1, 2027.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Connecticut at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$16.94
2026 rate after the annual employment cost index adjustment.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$6.38 (bartenders $8.23)
Hotel and restaurant staff who regularly receive tips; bartenders get at least $8.23.
Next scheduled increase
$17.48 on January 1, 2027
Annual adjustment based on the employment cost index, which rose 3.2 percent in the 12 months ending June 30, 2026.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Connecticut

What is the minimum wage in Connecticut in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Connecticut: $16.94. 2026 rate after the annual employment cost index adjustment.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Connecticut?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Connecticut: $6.38 (bartenders $8.23). Hotel and restaurant staff who regularly receive tips; bartenders get at least $8.23.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Connecticut?

Next scheduled increase in Connecticut: $17.48 on January 1, 2027. Annual adjustment based on the employment cost index, which rose 3.2 percent in the 12 months ending June 30, 2026.

Where do the Connecticut minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-58 and Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-60. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.