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Minimum Wage in Virginia

Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 per hour in 2026, rising to $13.75 on January 1, 2027 and $15.00 on January 1, 2028; tipped employees can be paid a cash wage of $2.13.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Virginia at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$12.77
In effect January 1, 2026 until January 1, 2027.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$2.13
Va. Code 40.1-28.9 lets employers count tips toward wages; the US DOL lists a $2.13 minimum cash wage.
Next scheduled increase
$13.75 on January 1, 2027
Then $15.00 on January 1, 2028; from January 1, 2029, adjusted each year for CPI-U inflation.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Virginia

What is the minimum wage in Virginia in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Virginia: $12.77. In effect January 1, 2026 until January 1, 2027.

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

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Virginia: $2.13. Va. Code 40.1-28.9 lets employers count tips toward wages; the US DOL lists a $2.13 minimum cash wage.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Virginia?

Next scheduled increase in Virginia: $13.75 on January 1, 2027. Then $15.00 on January 1, 2028; from January 1, 2029, adjusted each year for CPI-U inflation.

Where do the Virginia minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from Va. Code 40.1-28.10 and Va. Code 40.1-28.9. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The 2026 General Assembly (2026 Acts cc. 350 and 351) set the increases to $13.75 and $15.00.

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.