Florida Minimum Wage Reaches $15 on September 30: What Workers and Businesses Need to Know

Florida’s minimum wage will rise from $14 to $15 per hour on September 30, 2026, completing the series of annual $1 increases Florida voters approved through a constitutional amendment in 2020.

For eligible tipped employees, the minimum direct cash wage will rise from $10.98 to $11.98 per hour, plus tips. Florida allows employers to apply a maximum $3.02 tip credit toward the $15 minimum when all legal requirements for taking the credit are met.

The change applies to hours worked beginning September 30. That means a payroll period spanning September 29 and September 30 may contain hours subject to two different minimum rates: $14 for qualifying hours worked through September 29 and at least $15 for qualifying hours worked beginning September 30.

For Indian River County and the broader Treasure Coast, the increase is particularly relevant to industries with large hourly workforces, including restaurants, hotels and tourism businesses, retail stores, landscaping and grounds maintenance companies, construction-support operations and some agricultural employers.

The Final $1 Step to $15

Florida voters approved Amendment 2 on November 3, 2020, adding a schedule of increases to Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

• $10 per hour beginning September 30, 2021

• $11 beginning September 30, 2022

• $12 beginning September 30, 2023

• $13 beginning September 30, 2024

• $14 beginning September 30, 2025

• $15 beginning September 30, 2026

That makes the September 30, 2026 increase the last predetermined $1 increase written into the 2020 amendment.

What Happens After Florida Reaches $15?

Florida does not continue adding $1 every September after 2026. Instead, the state returns to an inflation-adjustment formula.

Under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, on September 30, 2027, the state is to calculate a new minimum wage based on inflation during the 12 months before September 1 using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or CPI-W.

The newly calculated rate does not take effect on September 30, 2027. The Constitution says the new rate becomes effective the following January 1. That means the first post-$15 inflation-adjusted rate is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2028.

Tipped Workers: $11.98 Plus Tips

Through September 29, 2026, the minimum direct wage for eligible tipped employees is $10.98 an hour, plus tips. Beginning September 30, that direct wage becomes $11.98 an hour, plus tips.

The calculation is simple: $15.00 minimum wage − $3.02 maximum Florida tip credit = $11.98 minimum direct wage.

The tip credit is not automatic. Under federal law, an employer using a tip credit must meet applicable notice and tip-retention requirements, and the employee's direct wages plus qualifying tips must be sufficient to satisfy the applicable minimum wage.

Who Is Covered?

Florida’s Constitution defines “employer,” “employee” and “wage” using the definitions established under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA. That covers most ordinary nonexempt hourly employees, whether they work full time or part time.

There are, however, federal exemptions and special rules. Certain executive, administrative, professional, outside-sales and qualifying computer employees can be exempt when the applicable duties and compensation tests are satisfied. Agriculture also has specific federal exemptions in some circumstances, including certain small farming operations.

Why It Matters on the Treasure Coast

Several industries important to Indian River County and the Treasure Coast have relatively large hourly workforces. That includes restaurants, hospitality, retail, landscaping, construction-support businesses and some agricultural employers.

The wage law itself does not require an employer to raise prices, reduce hours or reduce staffing, and IRC Media is not assuming that businesses will take any of those actions.

What Florida Employers Need to Know

• Effective date:

  September 30, 2026

• Standard hourly rate:

  $15 per hour beginning September 30

• Tipped-worker rate:

  $11.98 per hour plus tips when the employer lawfully applies the tip credit

• Tip credit:

  Maximum $3.02

• Required notices:

  Display the current Florida minimum-wage poster in a conspicuous and accessible location

• Payroll changes:

  Make sure payroll systems account for hours worked before and after September 30 if a pay period crosses the effective date

• Recordkeeping:

  Maintain accurate time and pay records and confirm tipped-worker compliance

What Florida Workers Need to Know

• When the raise starts:

  The $15 minimum applies to qualifying work performed on or after September 30, 2026

• Who qualifies:

  Most workers covered by the FLSA and Florida’s minimum-wage law

• Tipped workers:

  Eligible tipped employees must receive at least $11.98 per hour in direct wages plus tips, subject to legal tip-credit rules

• What to check:

  Review the first paycheck covering work after September 30 for dates worked, hours, hourly rates and any tip-credit calculations

• Where to seek help:

  Workers may contact the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-4-USWAGE or consult an employment attorney or other qualified legal resource

What Can Happen in a Minimum-Wage Violation?

Under Florida law, a worker who successfully proves a minimum-wage violation may recover unpaid back wages, an equal amount in liquidated damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, and other appropriate legal or equitable relief. The Florida Attorney General may also bring a civil enforcement action. A willful violation can result in a $1,000 fine per violation payable to the state.

Pay Examples

These examples show gross earnings before taxes, deductions or other payroll adjustments.

• 20 hours per week:

  $280 gross at $14 vs. $300 gross at $15 — a difference of

  $20 per week

  . Annualized over 52 weeks, that is approximately

  $1,040 gross

  .

• 40 hours per week:

  $560 gross at $14 vs. $600 gross at $15 — a difference of

  $40 per week

  .

• Full-time annual example:

  $29,120 gross at $14 vs. $31,200 gross at $15 — an approximate annual gross difference of

  $2,080

  .

The Bottom Line

Beginning September 30, Florida reaches the $15 minimum wage envisioned by voters when they approved Amendment 2 in 2020. For most covered workers currently earning $14 an hour, that means another $1 for every qualifying straight-time hour worked beginning September 30. For eligible tipped workers whose employer uses the full tip credit, the minimum direct wage becomes $11.98.

For employers, the immediate priorities are straightforward: update payroll rates, account for the September 30 effective date, review tipped-worker requirements, maintain accurate records and display the required current workplace notice.

After this increase, Florida’s minimum-wage system enters a different phase. The next rate will be calculated for inflation on September 30, 2027 and is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2028.

IRC Media uses aggregated public data and verified sources; articles reviewed by editorial team to the best of our ability.

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