What is the Florida minimum wage on September 30, 2026?

The standard Florida minimum wage rises to $15.00 per hour effective September 30, 2026. This is the final one-dollar step in the schedule voters approved in 2020. After 2026, the rate is adjusted for inflation rather than by fixed dollar increases.

What is the new tipped employee minimum wage in Florida for 2026?

Starting September 30, 2026, the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Florida is $11.98 per hour. That is the $15.00 standard rate minus the $3.02 tip credit. The cash wage plus tips must still average at least $15.00 per hour.

How do I calculate the tip credit so tipped workers still reach the full minimum wage?

Add the tipped employee's cash wage and the tips they received in the pay period, then divide by hours worked. If the result is below $15.00 per hour, you must pay the difference so the employee reaches the full minimum wage. The maximum tip credit you can claim is $3.02 per hour.

What happens if I do not raise wages by the September 30 deadline?

Paying below the required minimum wage can make you liable for the unpaid back wages, an equal amount in liquidated damages, and the employee's attorney's fees and costs. For willful violations, the Attorney General can also seek a $1,000 fine per violation. Employees can bring a claim directly, so the exposure adds up quickly.

Do I need to post a new minimum wage poster, and where do I get it?

Yes. Florida employers must display the current state minimum wage notice where employees can see it. The official poster is published by the Florida Department of Commerce and is free to download, so you do not need to buy one. Post the current version before September 30, 2026.

Does the Florida minimum wage increase apply to salaried or part-time employees?

It applies based on hourly pay, not job title or schedule, so part-time employees are covered. A salaried employee is also covered if their pay works out to less than $15.00 per hour for the hours they work. The federal minimum wage is lower, but Florida's higher rate is the one that applies to Florida employers.

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Florida's $15 Minimum Wage Starts September 30, 2026: A Small Business Owner's Compliance Checklist

Florida's minimum wage rises to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, and the tipped cash wage to $11.98. Here is the compliance checklist for employers.

SMAART Company

July 20, 2026

10 min read

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