Minimum Wage Increase Begins January 1, 2026
Beginning on January 1, 2026, Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase from the current rate of $16.35 per hour to $16.94 per hour.
On January 1, 2026:
- Minimum wage will increase to $16.94 per hour
- Server tip credit remains at $6.38 per hour
- Bartender tip credit remains at $8.23 per hour
The change is required under a state law Governor Lamont signed in 2019 (Public Act 19-4) that connects the state’s minimum wage to economic indicators, specifically the percentage change in the federal employment cost index. Under that law, the minimum wage is required to be adjusted each year 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 is required to 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.
Connecticut Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo reports that the employment cost index increased by 3.6% over the twelve-month period ending on June 30, 2025, accounting for a $0.59 increase to the state’s minimum wage that will become effective on January 1, 2026.
As a result of our advocacy efforts in 2019, the Connecticut Restaurant Association successfully lead the freezing and decoupling of the tip credit from minimum wage. For this reason, the server wage and bartender wage stay the same, even as minimum wage goes up.
For more information or questions on minimum wage, cash wage for tipped employees, tip credit and more, email us at info@ctrestaurant.org.
A reminder that the Mandatory Order No.8 poster must be displayed in all foodservice businesses where employees can read.
The Order states minimum fair wage rates for persons employed in the restaurant and hotel restaurant occupations.
For restaurants with tipped employees, note the definition of "Service Employees" and the 23 duties incidental to such service.