FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2025
CONTACT
Maryela Gonzalez
Maryela.Gonzalez@ci.stpaul.mn.us
(651) 266-8966
Saint Paul Businesses Notified of 2026 Minimum Wage Increases
SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, businesses in Saint Paul will receive notice of minimum wage increases for 2026.
Effective January 1, 2026, the City’s minimum wage hourly rate will be:
$16.37 for macro and large businesses (101+ employees)
Effective July 1, 2026, the minimum wage hourly rate will be:
$16.37 for small businesses (6-100 employees)
$14.25 for micro businesses (5 employees or less)
Under the ordinance, business size matters. Employers must count all employees whether employed full-time, part-time, jointly with another employer, or working on temporary basis. Please see our website for more information, stpaul.gov/minimumwage.
ABOUT THE MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE
On November 14, 2018, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter signed into law a Minimum Wage Ordinance, Chapter 244 after a unanimous vote from the Saint Paul City Council. The Minimum Wage ordinance implements minimum wage rates depending on business size. Those schedules, along with updated workplace notice posters and additional information, can be found on our website, stpaul.gov/minimumwage.
The Labor Standards Division within the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) is responsible for the education and enforcement of the city’s Minimum Wage, Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), and Wage Theft ordinances. Since January 1, 2025, the division has closed 28 cases, negotiated over $178,000 in back wages, and recovered 1,232 ESST hours for 640 employees. The division provides free training and education to workers and businesses in Saint Paul. We urge employers and employees with questions or concerns to reach out to the Labor Standards investigators at 651-266-8966, via email at laborstandards@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or in person at the HREEO Office 280, Saint Paul City Hall, 15 W Kellogg Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55102.
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