2026 Labor Law Poster Changes: What Employers Need to Know

As we move toward 2026, employers across the United States should prepare for a wide range of state labor law updates, most of which take effect on January 1, 2026. These changes include minimum wage increases, expanded leave rights, and revised required notices that bring workplace compliance documents up to date with new state regulations. The summaries below outline what to expect in each state. 

Arizona

Beginning January 1, 2026, Arizona’s minimum wage will rise from $14.70 to $15.15 per hour. The tipped wage provisions remain unchanged, and the required posting has been updated with minor formatting improvements. In addition to the statewide update, both Flagstaff and Tucson have announced new local minimum wage rates for 2026:The minimum wage in Flagstaff has increased to $18.35 and the minimum wage for Tucson has increased to $15.45 per hour.

California

Starting January 1, 2026, California’s minimum wage increases to $16.90 per hour. Revisions to the Pregnant Workers Rights Notice are also expected.

Colorado

On January 1, 2026, Colorado’s minimum wage will increase to $15.16 per hour. The FAMLI Notice will also be updated to include new information related to neonatal care.

Connecticut

Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase to $16.94 per hour on January 1, 2026. In addition, the Paid Sick Leave Notice will be revised, lowering the employee threshold for coverage from 25 employees to 11.

Maine

Effective January 1, 2026, Maine’s minimum wage will rise from $14.65 to $15.10 per hour, and coverage will now explicitly include both agricultural and non-agricultural workers. The minimum salary threshold for overtime exemption will increase to 871.16 per week, up from 845.21. The tipped service employee cash wage will rise from 7.33 to 7.55 per hour, and the monthly tip threshold required for service employee classification will increase from 185 to 191.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has released the updated 2026 Paid Family and Medical Leave Notice. Beginning January 1, 2026, the maximum weekly PFML benefit will increase from 1,170.64 to 1,230.39, reflecting annual cost-of-living adjustments.

Minnesota

On January 1, 2026, Minnesota will implement its new Paid Leave Program, which provides paid time off for major life events such as bonding with a new child, recovering from a serious health condition, or caring for a family member. Employers must notify employees of their rights by December 1, 2025 through both a workplace posting and an individual written notice. The Paid Leave Notice must be displayed somewhere visible. Minnesota’s minimum wage will also rise at the start of the year to 11.41 per hour, with a training wage of 9.31 per hour. Both updates are included in the 2026 Minnesota Labor Law Posters.

Missouri

Missouri’s minimum wage will increase from $13.75 to $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2026. The tipped wage will increase from 6.875 to 7.50 per hour. The updated 2026 Missouri Minimum Wage Notice is now available.

Montana

Beginning January 1, 2026, Montana’s minimum wage will increase from $10.55 to $10.85 per hour to reflect cost-of-living adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index. The revised Minimum Wage Notice has already been issued.

Nevada

Nevada is expected to update its AB 307 Training and Rehabilitation Notice effective January 1, 2026.

New Jersey

New Jersey’s minimum wage will increase from $15.49 to $15.92 per hour on January 1, 2026.

New York State

New York’s minimum wage will change on January 1, 2026. The rate will be $17.00 per hour for New York City as well as Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. The minimum wage for the remainder of the state will be 16.00 per hour. 

New York City

The New York City Commission on Human Rights has updated its Notice of Rights for 2026. Changes include extending the filing deadline for discrimination complaints from one year to three years from the date of the last alleged act and adding a new protected category of “criminal record” under the housing section. Also, the Sick & Safe Leave Notice will likely be revised with 32 hours of unpaid leave added immediately upon hire.

Ohio

Ohio’s updated Minimum Wage Poster reflects several changes effective January 1, 2026. The state minimum wage will increase from $10.70 to $11.00 per hour for non-tipped employees, and the tipped wage will rise from 5.35 to 5.50. The employer gross-receipts threshold required to pay state minimum wage will increase from 394,000 to 405,000.

Oregon

Oregon is expected to release an updated Paid Sick Leave Notice on January 1, 2026. The revision will allow employees to use paid leave for blood donations.

Pennsylvania

Beginning in January 2026, Pennsylvania employers with 50 or more full-time employees must display a new Veterans Benefits and Services Notice. This notice informs workers about available state and federal veterans’ programs and provides contact information for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, county offices, and the VA Crisis Line.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island will increase the state minimum wage to $16.00 per hour on January 1, 2026. A new Minimum Wage Notice will accompany the change.

South Dakota

South Dakota’s minimum wage will increase from $11.50 to $11.85 per hour beginning January 1, 2026. The tipped wage will rise from 5.75 to 5.93 per hour, maintaining the requirement that tipped employees receive 50 percent of the state minimum wage.

Virginia

Virginia will raise its minimum wage to $12.77 per hour on January 1, 2026.

Washington

Washington’s minimum wage will increase from $16.66 to $17.13 per hour effective January 1, 2026. The youth wage for employees aged 14 and 15 will increase from 14.16 to 14.56 per hour, maintaining the 85 percent calculation based on the adult minimum wage.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s 2026 Unemployment Benefits Notice includes several updates. The instructions now require identity verification and multi-factor authentication before submitting a claim. References to mailed verification letters and the Trade Adjustment Assistance program have been removed. Eligibility language has been simplified and the notice now includes updated contact information and a QR code for convenient online access.