{"attribution":{"name":"InterObservers Employer Desk","url":"https://interobservers.com/desk/"},"license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","applies_to":"The compilation: selection, structure, summaries and field names, by InterObservers Employer Desk.","official_sources":"Quoted statutes and agency text are reproduced verbatim from official government sources and remain the works of those governments. U.S. federal government works are in the public domain; state and local government material is quoted for reference with a link to the source.","attribution_required":"Credit \"InterObservers Employer Desk\" with a link to https://interobservers.com/desk/."},"disclaimer":"General information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the official source linked.","generated_at":"2026-09-24T23:28:24Z","api_version":"1.0.0","name":"Employment law changes scheduled for 2027","items":[{"jurisdiction":"AZ","state":"AZ","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$15.15/hour","indexing_method":"The minimum wage shall be increased on January 1, 2021 and on January 1 of successive years, by the increase in the cost of living.","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://www.azleg.gov/ars/23/00363.htm","source_quote":"The minimum wage shall be increased on January 1, 2021 and on January 1 of successive years, by the increase in the cost of living.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Boulder (city), CO","state":"CO","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$18.17/hour","previous_value":"$16.82/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://bouldercolorado.gov/local-minimum-wage","source_quote":"Beginning January 1, 2027: $18.17 per hour;","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Boulder County (unincorporated), CO","state":"CO","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$16.82/hour","indexing_method":"Beginning Jan. 1, 2027 and on Jan. 1 of each subsequent calendar year, such amended wage rate necessary to keep pace with the year-over year increase in the Consumer Price Index","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://bouldercounty.gov/departments/commissioners/local-minimum-wage/","source_quote":"Beginning Jan. 1, 2027 and on Jan. 1 of each subsequent calendar year, such amended wage rate necessary to keep pace with the year-over year increase in the Consumer Price Index","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"CA","state":"CA","level":"state","topic":"exempt_salary","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$72,384/year","previous_value":"$70,304/year","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2026/2026-66.html","source_quote":"Beginning January 1, 2027, an employee must earn an annual salary of at least $72,384 to meet the salary threshold for exemption.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"CA","state":"CA","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$17.40/hour","previous_value":"$16.90/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2026/2026-66.html","source_quote":"Beginning January 1, 2027, California’s statewide minimum wage will increase to $17.40 per hour","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"CO","state":"CO","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$15.71/hour","previous_value":"$15.16/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://cdle.colorado.gov/press-releases/press-release-colorado-minimum-wage-will-increase-to-1571/hour-in-2027","source_quote":"Colorado’s minimum wage will increase to $15.71 per hour in 2027, and $12.69 for tipped workers","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"CO","state":"CO","level":"state","topic":"tipped_minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$12.69/hour","previous_value":null,"indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://cdle.colorado.gov/press-releases/press-release-colorado-minimum-wage-will-increase-to-1571/hour-in-2027","source_quote":"Colorado’s minimum wage will increase to $15.71 per hour in 2027, and $12.69 for tipped workers","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"CT","state":"CT","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$17.48/hour","previous_value":"$16.94/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/08-2026/governor-lamont-announces-minimum-wage-will-increase","source_quote":"Connecticut’s minimum wage will adjust to $17.48 per hour beginning January 1, 2027—an increase from the 2026 rate of $16.94 per hour.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"MD","state":"MD","level":"state","topic":"paid_leave","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"0.9% of wages up to SS wage base (0.45% employer / 0.45% employee)","previous_value":null,"indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://paidleave.maryland.gov/employers/make-contributions/","source_quote":"MD Labor set the initial contribution rate at 0.9% of wages up to the Social Security wage cap. The contribution amount is split equally between employers and employees (0.45% each). This rate will apply to wages paid from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"ME","state":"ME","level":"state","topic":"exempt_salary","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$905.79/week ($47,101.08/year)","previous_value":null,"indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/article.shtml?id=13362373","source_quote":"Starting January 1, 2027, the new minimum salary threshold for salaried workers exempt from overtime will be $905.79 per week , or $47,101.08 per year","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"ME","state":"ME","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$15.70/hour","previous_value":"$15.10/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/article.shtml?id=13362373","source_quote":"effective January 1, 2027 , the state minimum wage will increase from $15.10 to $15.70 per hour","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"ME","state":"ME","level":"state","topic":"tipped_minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$7.85/hour","previous_value":"$7.55/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/article.shtml?id=13362373","source_quote":"The \"tip wage,\" or service employee minimum wage, will increase from $7.55 to $7.85 per hour","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"MI","state":"MI","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$15.00/hour","previous_value":"$13.73/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/ber/wage-and-hour/min-wage","source_quote":"Effective January 1, 2027, the minimum wage rate is $15.00 per hour.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Minneapolis, MN","state":"MN","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$17.02/hour","previous_value":"$16.37/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://minimumwage.minneapolismn.gov/","source_quote":"In 2027, the Minneapolis minimum wage is $17.02.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"MN","state":"MN","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$11.87/hour","previous_value":"$11.41/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://dli.mn.gov/news/minimum-wage-rate-adjusted-inflation-jan-1-2027","source_quote":"will be adjusted for inflation on Jan. 1, 2027, to $11.87 an hour for all employers in the state.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"MN","state":"MN","level":"state","topic":"other","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$9.68/hour","previous_value":"$9.31/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/minimum-wage-minnesota","source_quote":"The 90-day training wage for workers under age 20 will increase to $9.68.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"MT","state":"MT","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$10.85/hour","indexing_method":"No later than September 30 of each year, an adjustment of the wage amount specified in subsection (1) must be made based upon the increase, if any, from August of the preceding year to August of the year in which the calculation is made in the consumer price index","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0390/chapter_0030/part_0040/section_0090/0390-0030-0040-0090.html","source_quote":"No later than September 30 of each year, an adjustment of the wage amount specified in subsection (1) must be made based upon the increase, if any, from August of the preceding year to August of the year in which the calculation is made in the consumer price index","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"NE","state":"NE","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$15.00/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=39847","source_quote":"LB258 , sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Jane Raybould, instead increases the state minimum wage by 1.75% annually.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"NJ","state":"NJ","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$16.48/hour","previous_value":"$15.92/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"confirmed","status_label":"Confirmed by the agency","source_url":"https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/","source_quote":"Effective January 1, 2027, New Jersey's minimum wage is $16.48/hour for most workers.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"NY","state":"NY","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$17.00 (NYC/LI/Westchester); $16.00 (rest of state)","indexing_method":"Starting in 2027, the minimum wage will be tied to inflation, and increase based on a three-year average of the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast.","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://dol.ny.gov/minimum-wage-0","source_quote":"Starting in 2027, the minimum wage will be tied to inflation, and increase based on a three-year average of the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Saint Paul, MN","state":"MN","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$16.37/hour","indexing_method":"*The rate is based on a percentage increase calculated by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/human-rights-equal-economic-opportunity/labor-standards-enforcement-and-education/minimum-wage","source_quote":"*The rate is based on a percentage increase calculated by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Santa Fe (city), NM","state":"NM","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$17.50/hour","previous_value":"$15.40/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://santafenm.gov/economic-development/living-wage-in-the-city-of-santa-fe","source_quote":"One-time increase to $17.50/hour effective January 1, 2027","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"SD","state":"SD","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$11.85/hour","indexing_method":"The new adjusted rate for the following year will be announced on our Minimum Wage webpage no later than Oct. 15 of each year.","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://dlr.sd.gov/employment_laws/minimum_wage_faq.aspx","source_quote":"The new adjusted rate for the following year will be announced on our Minimum Wage webpage no later than Oct. 15 of each year.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Seattle, WA","state":"WA","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$21.30/hour","indexing_method":"The minimum wage increases every year on January 1.","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/ordinances/minimum-wage","source_quote":"The minimum wage increases every year on January 1.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"VA","state":"VA","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"$13.75/hour","previous_value":"$12.77/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/april-releases/name-1116004-en.html","source_quote":"The legislation will then increase the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour on January 1, 2027, and subsequently increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2028.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"VT","state":"VT","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$14.42/hour","indexing_method":"on each subsequent January 1, the minimum wage rate shall be increased by five percent or the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/21/005/00384","source_quote":"on each subsequent January 1, the minimum wage rate shall be increased by five percent or the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"WA","state":"WA","level":"state","topic":"exempt_salary","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"2.5 x state minimum wage x 40 hrs/week (employers with >50 employees)","previous_value":null,"indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-128-545","source_quote":"(b) When the employee works for an employer with more than fifty employees, an amount not less than 2.5 times the minimum wage prescribed in RCW","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"WA","state":"WA","level":"state","topic":"exempt_salary","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":"2.25 x state minimum wage x 40 hrs/week (employers with 50 or fewer employees)","previous_value":null,"indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-128-545","source_quote":"(8) Beginning January 1, 2027, and through December 31, 2027: (a) When the employee works for an employer with fifty or fewer employees, an amount not less than 2.25 times the minimum wage prescribed in RCW","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"WA","state":"WA","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-01-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$17.13/hour","indexing_method":"The new minimum wage will be announced on Sept. 30, and take effect Jan. 1.","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/","source_quote":"The new minimum wage will be announced on Sept. 30, and take effect Jan. 1.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"WA","state":"WA","level":"state","topic":"non_compete","effective_date":"2027-06-30","new_value":"All noncompetition covenants void and unenforceable (RCW 49.62.020 as amended by 2026 c 149)","previous_value":"Non-competes allowed only above earnings threshold ($126,858.83 in 2026 for employees)","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.62&full=true","source_quote":"Beginning on June 30, 2027, all noncompetition covenants are void and unenforceable regardless of when the parties entered into the noncompetition covenant.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"AK","state":"AK","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-07-01","new_value":"$15.00/hour","previous_value":"$14.00/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=23.10.065&secEnd=23.10.065","source_quote":"(3) effective July 1, 2027, the minimum wage shall be $15.00 per hour","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"CA","state":"CA","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-07-01","new_value":"$19.95/hour","previous_value":"$19.28/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Health-Care-Worker-Minimum-Wage-FAQ.htm","source_quote":"7/1/27 to 6/30/28: $19.95","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"CA","state":"CA","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-07-01","new_value":"$25.00/hour","previous_value":"$22.00/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Health-Care-Worker-Minimum-Wage-FAQ.htm","source_quote":"7/1/26 to 6/30/27: $22 7/1/27 to 12/31/28: $25","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Chicago, IL","state":"IL","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-07-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$17.05/hour (4+ employees)","indexing_method":"The minimum wage increases annually according to the Consumer Price Index or 2.5%, whichever is lower.","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bacp/supp_info/minimumwageinformation.html","source_quote":"The minimum wage increases annually according to the Consumer Price Index or 2.5%, whichever is lower.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Los Angeles, CA","state":"CA","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-07-01","new_value":"$25.50/hour + $6.00/hour health benefit","previous_value":"$25.00/hour + $4.25/hour health benefit","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://wagesla.lacity.gov/sites/g/files/wph1941/files/2026-06/2026%20CHMWO%20Wage%20Chart%20wHB%20Rev05-27-26.pdf","source_quote":"July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028 $25.50 per hour $6.00 per hour","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Montgomery County, MD","state":"MD","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-07-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$18.00 large / $16.50 mid-size / $15.95 small","indexing_method":"July 1, 2027 and subsequent years Increase annually by CPI-W.","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/office-human-rights/minimum-wage-increase","source_quote":"July 1, 2027 and subsequent years Increase annually by CPI-W.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"OR","state":"OR","level":"state","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-07-01","new_value":null,"previous_value":"$15.55 standard (July 1, 2026)","indexing_method":"*By April 30th of each year, the Bureau will calculate an adjustment of the standard minimum wage rate.","status":"pending_announcement","status_label":"Not announced yet","source_url":"https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/minimum-wage-schedule.aspx","source_quote":"*By April 30th of each year, the Bureau will calculate an adjustment of the standard minimum wage rate.","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"Saint Paul, MN","state":"MN","level":"local","topic":"minimum_wage","effective_date":"2027-07-01","new_value":"$15.00/hour","previous_value":"$14.25/hour","indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/human-rights-equal-economic-opportunity/labor-standards-enforcement-and-education/minimum-wage","source_quote":"July 1, 2026 $14.25 July 1, 2027 $15.00 July 1, 2028 City Rate*","additional_sources":[]},{"jurisdiction":"DE","state":"DE","level":"state","topic":"pay_transparency","effective_date":"2027-09-26","new_value":"Pay range + benefits description required in internal/external job postings (employers with 26+ employees)","previous_value":null,"indexing_method":null,"status":"scheduled_by_statute","status_label":"Scheduled in law","source_url":"https://legis.delaware.gov/SessionLaws/Chapter?id=42391","source_quote":"Section 2. This Act takes effect 2 years after its enactment into law.","additional_sources":[]}],"note":"Each item quotes an official source. Status \"pending_announcement\" means the new value has not been published yet; no number is guessed."}