Florida minimum wage to hit $15 in September, final fixed increase before inflation adjustments

Florida is set to raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour on September 30, 2026, a move that will directly benefit thousands of low-wage workers across the state. This marks the final scheduled increase in a series of annual $1 increments mandated by a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2020.

Starting in 2027, the minimum wage will no longer rise by a fixed dollar amount each year. Instead, it will be adjusted annually based on the urban consumer price index, a measure of inflation. The Office of Workforce Innovation will calculate this rate, with the new wage taking effect on January 1 each year.

For employees who regularly receive tips, the new regulation also modifies the compensation structure. Employers can use a tip credit to cover a portion of the minimum wage for these workers. This credit is limited to the amount federal labor law permitted in 2003. The constitutional amendment protects workers' rights, prohibiting any unilateral reduction in wages and subjecting non-compliant businesses to legal and administrative sanctions.

The constitutional amendment, titled "Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage," began with an initial rate of $10 per hour on September 30, 2021. The subsequent annual increases were designed to gradually bring the wage up to the $15 target. This structured approach ensures a predictable path for both employers and employees as the state transitions to a new wage adjustment system.