Saint Paul Minimum Wage 2026 and 2027
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Saint Paul is $16.37 per hour for large and macro employers (101 or more employees), in effect since January 1, 2026. It is set by the local ordinance and is $4.96 above the Minnesota statewide minimum of $11.41 and $9.12 above the federal minimum of $7.25.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Rates and sources checked October 30, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Current rate (October 30, 2026)
$16.37
In effect since January 1, 2026
2027 status: Scheduled
$17.02
Effective January 1, 2027
Compared with Minnesota
$4.96 higher
Minnesota statewide rate $11.41; federal $7.25
Saint Paul minimum wage rates
| Group | Rate on October 30, 2026 | Since | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large and macro employers (101 or more employees) | $16.37 | January 1, 2026 | $17.02 |
| Small employers (6 to 100 employees) | $16.37 | July 1, 2026 | $17.02 on July 1, 2027 |
| Micro employers (5 or fewer employees) | $14.25 | July 1, 2026 | $15.00 on July 1, 2027 |
| Youth workers aged 14 to 17 (first 90 days) | $13.95 | July 1, 2026 | Not listed for 2027 |
Set by Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 224 (Minimum Wage Ordinance, approved November 14, 2018). Administered by the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity, Labor Standards Division.
Saint Paul minimum wage in 2027: Scheduled
On September 1, 2026 the city announced $17.02 per hour from January 1, 2027 for large and macro businesses (101 or more employees). Small businesses (6 to 100 employees) stay at $16.37 and micro businesses (5 or fewer) stay at $14.25 until July 1, 2027, when small businesses reach $17.02 and micro businesses reach $15.00.
The city announces the large employer rate each September 1 for the following January 1. The city table footnote says the rate is based on a percentage increase calculated by the Minnesota Commissioner of Labor and Industry under Minn. Stat. 177.24, subdivision 1(f), "applicable to the State of Minnesota Minimum Wage divided by two (2) and based on the full percentage increase in each subsequent year rounded to the nearest cent"; the city does not explain that wording further. Smaller employers phase up to the same city rate by July 1, 2028.
Tipped workers
Tips do not count. The city says employer payments toward medical benefits and tips are not considered wages, and Minnesota law agrees: the Department of Labor and Industry says no employer may take a tip credit against minimum wages in Minnesota, so tipped workers are paid the full rate for their employer size plus tips.
Who is covered
The ordinance covers all employees' hours of work in the geographic boundaries of Saint Paul: full-time, part-time and temporary employees, regardless of immigration status. It does not cover independent contractors, and family members who work for a family business must be paid.
Business size is the average number of employees per week in the previous calendar year, counting full-time, part-time, jointly employed and temporary employees, including those outside Saint Paul. Owners and board members are not counted. A new business uses the average of its first 13 weeks, and a franchisee counts every location it owns and operates.
Full-service restaurants in Saint Paul with fewer than 10 locations nationwide count as unique employers: they add up the employees at each location separately over 52 weeks, and a restaurant with one Saint Paul location does not count employees elsewhere (franchises are the exception).
Tiers and exceptions
- Employer size sets the rate until the tiers merge: large and macro businesses are on the city rate from January 1, 2027, small businesses reach it on July 1, 2027, and micro businesses reach it by July 1, 2028, when the city table shows "City Rate" for every size.
- Youth workers aged 14 to 17 must be paid at least 85 percent of the small employer rate, rounded up to the nearest nickel, for 90 days after hire, and the city rate for their employer size from their 18th birthday even inside those 90 days.
- Youth under 20 in a city-approved youth training or apprenticeship program must earn at least 85 percent of the small employer minimum wage, rounded up to the nearest nickel.
- Contractors and subcontractors working for the city may also be required to pay the city prevailing wage or living wage.
Saint Paul compared with Minnesota and the federal minimum
| Minimum wage | October 30, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul | $16.37 | $17.02 |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $11.41 | $11.87 |
| Federal | $7.25 | $7.25 |
Employers must pay the highest rate that applies. See the Minnesota minimum wage page for the statewide rules.
Saint Paul rate history
| Effective | Large and macro employers (101 or more employees) |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | $16.37 |
| January 1, 2025 | $15.97 |
| July 1, 2024 | $15.57 |
| January 1, 2027 (scheduled) | $17.02 |
Small employers (6 to 100 employees)
- July 1, 2026$16.37
- July 1, 2025$15.00
- July 1, 2027 (scheduled)$17.02
Micro employers (5 or fewer employees)
- July 1, 2026$14.25
- July 1, 2025$13.25
- July 1, 2027 (scheduled)$15.00
Youth workers aged 14 to 17 (first 90 days)
- July 1, 2026$13.95
- July 1, 2025$12.75
Saint Paul minimum wage pay calculator
| Gross pay | Saint Paul ($16.37) | Minnesota ($11.41) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly pay | $654.80 | $456.40 | $198.40 |
| Yearly pay | $34,049.60 | $23,732.80 | $10,316.80 |
Gross pay before taxes, paid straight time for every hour entered. The Saint Paul rate is the general rate for the group named above; tipped, youth and other groups follow the rules listed on this page.
What the official sources say
“Wages include salary, hourly pay, piece rate pay, commissions, and non-discretionary performance bonuses. Employer payments toward medical benefits and tips are not considered wages.”
“No employer may take a tip credit against minimum wages in Minnesota.”
“Employees who are 14-17 years old must be paid at least 85% of the City Minimum Wage for small employers for 90 days following their hiring date, rounded up to the nearest nickel. After 90 consecutive days (not days of work) from the date of hire, these employees shall be paid the applicable City Minimum Wage based on business size. Employees must be paid the City Minimum Wage starting on their 18th birthday, even if it falls within their first 90 days of employment.”
“Youth under the age of 20 in a City-approved, youth-focused training or apprenticeship program must earn at least 85% of the minimum wage for small employers, rounded up to the nearest nickel.”
“Full-service restaurants located in Saint Paul with fewer than 10 locations nationwide are considered unique employers when determining business size (except franchises).”
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Saint Paul in 2026?
As of October 30, 2026, the minimum wage in Saint Paul is $16.37 per hour for large and macro employers (101 or more employees), in effect since January 1, 2026. It is set by Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 224 (Minimum Wage Ordinance, approved November 14, 2018) and administered by the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity, Labor Standards Division.
Will the Saint Paul minimum wage go up in 2027?
On September 1, 2026 the city announced $17.02 per hour from January 1, 2027 for large and macro businesses (101 or more employees). Small businesses (6 to 100 employees) stay at $16.37 and micro businesses (5 or fewer) stay at $14.25 until July 1, 2027, when small businesses reach $17.02 and micro businesses reach $15.00.
How does the Saint Paul minimum wage compare with the Minnesota and federal minimums?
The Minnesota statewide minimum is $11.41, so Saint Paul is $4.96 higher. The federal minimum is $7.25. An employer must pay the highest rate that applies.
Who is covered by the Saint Paul minimum wage?
The ordinance covers all employees' hours of work in the geographic boundaries of Saint Paul: full-time, part-time and temporary employees, regardless of immigration status. It does not cover independent contractors, and family members who work for a family business must be paid. Business size is the average number of employees per week in the previous calendar year, counting full-time, part-time, jointly employed and temporary employees, including those outside Saint Paul. Owners and board members are not counted. A new business uses the average of its first 13 weeks, and a franchisee counts every location it owns and operates. Full-service restaurants in Saint Paul with fewer than 10 locations nationwide count as unique employers: they add up the employees at each location separately over 52 weeks, and a restaurant with one Saint Paul location does not count employees elsewhere (franchises are the exception).
What is the tipped minimum wage in Saint Paul?
Tips do not count. The city says employer payments toward medical benefits and tips are not considered wages, and Minnesota law agrees: the Department of Labor and Industry says no employer may take a tip credit against minimum wages in Minnesota, so tipped workers are paid the full rate for their employer size plus tips.
Are there different rates or exceptions in Saint Paul?
Small employers (6 to 100 employees): $16.37; Micro employers (5 or fewer employees): $14.25; Youth workers aged 14 to 17 (first 90 days): $13.95. Employer size sets the rate until the tiers merge: large and macro businesses are on the city rate from January 1, 2027, small businesses reach it on July 1, 2027, and micro businesses reach it by July 1, 2028, when the city table shows "City Rate" for every size.
Sources for Saint Paul
- City of Saint Paul: Minimum Wage
- City of Saint Paul: news release, September 1, 2025
- City of Saint Paul: news release, September 1, 2026
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: Minimum wage in Minnesota
Sources checked October 30, 2026.
The city page was last edited August 31, 2026 and its large employer table still shows "City Rate*" for January 1, 2027; the dollar amounts come from the September 1, 2026 news release. The headline rate is the large employer rate; macro employers (more than 10,000 employees) paid the same rate from January 1, 2025.