Florida workers earning the state’s minimum wageare about to get their final scheduled pay increase. Starting September 30, 2026, Florida’s minimum wage will rise to $15 an hour, marking the last step in a multiyear plan approved by voters.
The increase dates back to a constitutional amendment approved by voters in November 2020, which called for Florida’s minimum wage
to rise by $1 each year until reaching $15 an hour.However, the changes won’t stop there. Beginning next year, Florida’s minimum wage will be adjusted annually based on inflation, meaning the rate could rise or fall from year to year.
Here’s what minimum wage workers should know about how inflation could affect future pay increases.
When will minimum wage increase in Florida?
Starting Sept. 30, 2026, Florida’s minimum wage
will rise to $15 an hour.
How does an increase in the minimum wage affect tipped workers?
Tipped workers are a little different because their wages can include tips. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, employers who qualify to take a tip credit can count up to $3.02 in tips toward the minimum wage requirement.
That means that, starting Sept. 30, 2026, tipped employees must receive at least $11.98 per hour in direct wages, with tips making up the remaining amount needed to reach the full minimum wage, provided the employee receives enough tips to satisfy the applicable requirements.
How would an inflation-based minimum wage increase work in Florida?
Beginning in 2027, Florida’s minimum wage will be adjusted annually based on inflation. The adjustment will be calculated using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) and will take effect each January 1.
For example, if the minimum wage were $15 per hour and inflation were 3%, the minimum wage would increase to $15.45 per hour.
For tipped workers, the inflation-adjusted minimum wage would apply as well. Florida allows eligible employers to take a fixed $3.02 tip credit toward the minimum wage. So, if the minimum wage increased to $15.45, the employer would be required to pay at least $12.43 per hour in direct wages, with the $3.02 tip credit accounting for the remainder.
As the minimum wage increases with inflation, the direct cash wage required for tipped workers would also increase, while the $3.02 tip credit would remain fixed.
Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida's minimum wage hits $15 on Sept. 30. What you should know
