Connecticut minimum wage 2027: $17.48 an hour
Reviewed Nov 12, 2026 16 official sources How we verify
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Connecticut minimum wage 2027: $17.48 per hour from January 1, 2027 (CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards; CT Governor press release, 2027 rate). Verified Nov 12, 2026 on two official pages.
Is the minimum wage going up in Connecticut in 2027?
Yes. Connecticut's minimum wage goes up to $17.48 per hour from January 1, 2027. That is 3.2% more than the $16.94 in force now (computed from the two verified rates). (CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards)
Minimum wage today: $16.94 per hour (Connecticut minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table); verified Sep 27, 2026).
“Minimum Wage: $17.48 effective on January 1, 2027”
Second official source: “Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut’s minimum wage will adjust to $17.48 per hour beginning January 1, 2027” (CT Governor press release, 2027 rate).
What changes for Connecticut employers in 2027
Rate in force now: Connecticut minimum wage is $16.94 per hour (effective January 1, 2026). (Connecticut minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table); Office of the Governor of Connecticut, press release (September 2025); verified Sep 27, 2026).
Paying the minimum wage in Connecticut: paydays, final pay and breaks
- Paydays: Employers must pay weekly all wages due on a regular payday designated in advance; the Labor Commissioner may permit less frequent paydays on application. (U.S. DOL WHD State Payday Requirements; Connecticut General Statutes 31-71b (CT DOL Wage and Hour page); verified Sep 27, 2026)
- Final pay after a firing: When an employer discharges an employee, wages must be paid in full no later than the next business day after the discharge. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c(b) (CT DOL wage payment laws compilation); CT Department of Labor, Wage and Hour; verified Sep 24, 2026)
- Final pay after a resignation: When an employee quits (or is laid off), wages must be paid in full no later than the next regular payday, through regular payment channels or by mail. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c(a) (CT DOL wage payment laws compilation); CT Department of Labor, Wage and Hour; verified Sep 24, 2026)
- Meal breaks: Employees who work 7½ consecutive hours or more must get a ½ hour meal period at some time after the first 2 hours and before the last 2 hours of work. (Connecticut General Statutes 31-51ii (U.S. DOL WHD meal period table); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51ii(a); verified Sep 25, 2026)
Every verified rule for the state, with the law cited: Connecticut employer rulebook.
Exempt salary threshold in 2027: Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026
Each change with its official text: Connecticut rules.
Connecticut minimum wage rates: now, 2027 and next
| When | Who | Rate per hour | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| In force now (since January 1, 2026) | All covered employers | $16.94 | Source: Connecticut minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table); Office of the Governor of Connecticut, press release (September 2025) |
| From January 1, 2027 | Statewide | $17.48 | Sources: CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards; CT Governor press release, 2027 rate |
| Since July 24, 2009 | Federal minimum wage (FLSA) | $7.25 | Sources: U.S. DOL minimum wage page; 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo) |
Earlier Connecticut rates, as the official page lists them: “$16.94 effective on January 1, 2026 $16.35 effective on January 1, 2025 $15.69 effective on January 1, 2024 $15.00 effective on June 1, 2023 $14.00 effective on July 1, 2022” (CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards).
How the next Connecticut rate is set
“As required under the law, the annual adjustment is based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s calculation of the employment cost index for the twelve-month period ending on June 30 of the preceding year. The commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor must review this percentage change and announce any necessary adjustments by October 15 of each year. Those adjustments must take effect on January 1 of the following year.” (Governor of Connecticut press release, August 5, 2026)
2027 minimum wage: Connecticut and neighboring states
Each state links to its rulebook, and to its own 2027 minimum wage page where we have one. The same rows, for every state, are in the 2027 table by state.
| State | Minimum wage 2027 |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $17.48 per hour from January 1, 2027 (CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards) |
| New York | No increase on January 1, 2027: stays $17.00 per hour (New York City, Long Island and Westchester County) (NY DOL minimum wage page); No increase on January 1, 2027: stays $16.00 per hour (the rest of New York State) (NY DOL minimum wage page). Every 2027 rate: New York minimum wage 2027 |
| Massachusetts | No increase scheduled in 2027: $15.00 per hour since January 1, 2023 (Mass. DLS Minimum Wage Program). Every 2027 rate: Massachusetts minimum wage 2027 |
| Rhode Island | $17.00 per hour from January 1, 2027 (RI DLT minimum wage page) |
How to act on it
Full-time pay at the 2027 rate (computed: hourly rate × 40 hours a week and × 2,080 hours a year, before taxes): $17.48 = $699.20 a week, $36,358 a year.
Questions about the Connecticut minimum wage in 2027
What is the Connecticut minimum wage in 2027?
Connecticut's statewide minimum wage: $17.48 per hour from January 1, 2027 (CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards; CT Governor press release, 2027 rate). Verified Nov 12, 2026.
What is the Connecticut exempt salary threshold in 2027?
Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026
When does the 2027 Connecticut minimum wage take effect?
$17.48 per hour from January 1, 2027. (CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards; CT Governor press release, 2027 rate)
How does the Connecticut minimum wage compare with the federal minimum wage?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, in force since July 24, 2009 (U.S. DOL minimum wage page; 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)). Connecticut's 2027 rate, $17.48 per hour, is $10.23 an hour above it (computed).
Is the minimum wage going up in Connecticut in 2027?
Yes. Connecticut's minimum wage goes up to $17.48 per hour from January 1, 2027. That is 3.2% more than the $16.94 in force now (computed from the two verified rates).
What is the Connecticut minimum wage now?
Minimum wage today: $16.94 per hour (Connecticut minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table); verified Sep 27, 2026).
How is the next Connecticut minimum wage decided?
The official text is quoted under How the next Connecticut rate is set (CT Governor press release, Aug. 5, 2026).
Sources (16)
- CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards
- CT Governor press release, 2027 rate
- Connecticut minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD State Minimum Wage Laws table)
- U.S. DOL thresholds page
- eCFR 29 CFR 541.600
- Office of the Governor of Connecticut, press release (September 2025)
- U.S. DOL WHD State Payday Requirements
- Connecticut General Statutes 31-71b (CT DOL Wage and Hour page)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c(b) (CT DOL wage payment laws compilation)
- Connecticut General Statutes 31-51ii (U.S. DOL WHD meal period table)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51ii(a)
- U.S. DOL minimum wage page
- 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)
- NY DOL minimum wage page
- Mass. DLS Minimum Wage Program
- RI DLT minimum wage page
Checked Nov 12, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error
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