Virginia Minimum Wage rules will require most covered employers to pay at least $13.75 per hour beginning January 1, 2027.
The increase is already written into the Virginia Minimum Wage Act and will apply through December 31, 2027, unless the federal minimum wage becomes higher.
Virginia’s current minimum wage is $12.77 per hour for the period running from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
The scheduled increase means the state rate will rise by 98 cents per hour, or about 7.7 percent, at the start of 2027.
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When the Virginia minimum wage will increase
The Virginia Code sets a minimum hourly wage of $13.75 from January 1, 2027, until January 1, 2028.
For a worker paid exactly the state minimum, the change represents an additional $39.20 in gross pay for a 40-hour workweek before taxes and other deductions.
Over a full 52-week year at 40 hours per week, the scheduled increase would amount to about $2,038.40 in additional gross wages compared with the 2026 rate.
Actual pay will vary for workers who receive more than the minimum, work different schedules, receive tips or are not covered by the law.
| Effective period | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026 | $12.77 per hour |
| January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027 | $13.75 per hour |
| January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2028 | $15.00 per hour |
| January 1, 2029, and afterward | Annual adjusted rate, or the federal minimum wage if higher |
Virginia minimum wage reaches $15 in 2028
The law also establishes another scheduled increase for January 1, 2028.
At that point, the state rate will rise to $15 per hour for covered workers.
Beginning in 2029, the state will use an annual adjustment formula based on changes in the United States Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, commonly called CPI-U.
The Virginia commissioner responsible for labor matters must establish the adjusted rate by October 1 of each year for the 12-month period beginning the following January.
The law says an annual adjustment cannot reduce the state hourly minimum wage.
Each rate also remains subject to the federal minimum wage, with employers required to pay whichever applicable rate is higher.
Who must follow the new wage rate
The Virginia Minimum Wage Act generally covers employees working for private employers, public bodies and state or local government entities unless a specific exemption applies.
The law does not exempt employers based solely on the size of their business.
Employers must review payroll systems, employee classifications and workplace notices before the January 1, 2027, effective date.
Workers who believe they are being paid less than the required rate may seek information from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
Farm workers gain minimum wage coverage
The updated law also changes the treatment of farm laborers.
Beginning January 1, 2027, farm workers must be paid at least the Virginia minimum wage unless another legal exemption applies.
Farm laborers were listed among the exclusions in the version of the statute applying before January 1, 2027.
The new effective-date provisions remove that specific farm-labor exemption from the state minimum wage rules.
That change means agricultural employers should review compensation practices before the 2027 rate takes effect.
How tipped wages are handled
Virginia’s law recognizes tipped employees as workers who regularly receive more than $30 per month in tips from people other than their employer.
Under federal tip-credit rules, an employer may count qualifying tips toward the required minimum wage when the applicable conditions are met.
However, the employee’s direct wages plus allowable tips must equal at least the required state rate.
If the combined amount falls below the required state rate, the employer must pay the difference.
Employees whose work does not legally qualify for tip treatment cannot be classified as tipped employees simply because customers sometimes leave gratuities.
What workers should check before January 2027
Employees should review their hourly rate, pay statements and scheduled hours as the effective date approaches.
Workers who are paid by salary, commission or a combination of wages and tips may need to evaluate their compensation under the rules that apply to their job classification.
A higher hourly minimum does not automatically change overtime rules, exemption classifications or other wage-and-hour requirements.
Employees should keep copies of pay records and written communications about compensation if they believe their employer has not applied the required rate.
Questions about whether a particular job is covered can depend on the worker’s age, student status, duties, employer and other facts.
What employers should do now
Employers should update payroll software and written wage notices before the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
Businesses should also confirm that tipped employees receive enough combined wages and tips to meet the new minimum.
Employers in agriculture should separately review the new coverage rules for farm workers.
Payroll changes should account for the difference between the final pay period of 2026 and the first pay period covered by the 2027 rate.
Employers that knowingly violate the Virginia Minimum Wage Act may face statutory penalties and employee claims for unpaid wages and other available remedies.
Why the change matters
The scheduled increase gives workers a clearly defined pay floor for 2027 rather than leaving the rate to a future administrative decision.
It also gives employers advance notice of the $15 hourly rate planned for 2028 and the inflation-linked adjustment process beginning in 2029.
For employees earning near the legal minimum, the increase may affect weekly pay, job comparisons and eligibility calculations tied to earnings.
For employers, the change creates a compliance deadline that reaches beyond payroll because job offers, tip policies, wage notices and employee classifications may all need review.
The official Virginia Code page was revised on September 23, 2026, and confirms the $13.75 rate for the period beginning January 1, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will Virginia’s minimum wage be in 2027?
Virginia’s minimum wage will be at least $13.75 per hour from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, unless the federal minimum wage is higher.
What is Virginia’s minimum wage in 2026?
The Virginia minimum wage is $12.77 per hour from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, for covered employees.
When will Virginia’s minimum wage reach $15 per hour?
The law schedules a $15 per hour Virginia minimum wage beginning January 1, 2028.
Will farm workers receive Virginia’s minimum wage?
Beginning January 1, 2027, farm laborers must be paid at least the Virginia minimum wage unless another legal exemption applies.
How are tipped employees affected?
An employee’s direct wages and allowable tips must together reach at least the applicable Virginia minimum wage. The employer must make up any shortfall.
Fact-Checked: The 2027 rate, 2028 increase, 2029 adjustment formula and farm-worker coverage were checked against the Virginia Code and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry materials on September 24, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal or payroll advice. Coverage can depend on the worker’s duties and applicable exemptions.
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