Workers in 19 states get pay boost as minimum wages jump nationwide on New Year's Day

American workers at the bottom end of the pay scale are set to see the minimum wage rise in 19 states effective on New Year's Day, while three other states are also planning minimum wage increases later in 2026.

While 20 states opt to leave their minimum wage at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour, the majority of states have set higher minimums which may be periodically adjusted to account for inflation or to account for a change in state labor compensation laws.

The minimum wage...