District of Columbia Minimum Wage Increase Effective: July 1, 2026
Beginning July 1, 2026, the minimum wage in the District of Columbia will increase from $17.95 per hour to $18.40 per hour for all workers, regardless of size of employer. The minimum wage will progressively increase each successive year in proportion to the increase in the Consumer Price Index. In 2025, the Consumer Price Index Increased by 2.4% within the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of July 1, 2026, the base minimum wage for tipped employees will increase from $10.
Virginia Expands Provisions for Paid Sick Leave
Virginia employees must begin accruing at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked — up to five paid sick days per year — and extends these protections to both full-time and part-time employees., under House Bill 5, signed May 20, 2026 Phased Rollout Schedule The law scales up coverage based on employer size over 18 months 1. July 1, 2027, for employers with 50 or more employees 2. Jan. 1, 2028, for employers with 25 or more employees 3. Jan. 1, 202