Pennsylvania Governor Pushes for $15 Minimum Wage

Shapiro cites savings on entitlement programs as reason to raise state's $7.25 minimum wage

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:47am

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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is once again calling for the state to raise its minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour. Shapiro argued that the minimum wage has not changed since 2009 and that neighboring states have higher minimum wages. He cited potential savings of $300 million per year on entitlement programs like Medicaid as a reason to support the increase.

Why it matters

Raising the minimum wage is a contentious political issue, with Democrats generally supporting increases and Republicans often opposing them. Shapiro's push to boost Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour is part of a broader effort by Democrats to raise wages for low-income workers across the country.

The details

During his 2026-27 budget address, Shapiro advocated raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour. He noted that the minimum wage has not changed in the state since 2009 and that most neighboring states have higher minimum wages, including Ohio and West Virginia. Shapiro cited the potential savings of $300 million per year on entitlement programs like Medicaid as a reason to support the increase.

  • Shapiro made the proposal during his 2026-27 budget address on Tuesday.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The governor of Pennsylvania who is pushing to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Pennsylvania Senate

The Republican-controlled state Senate has resisted past efforts to increase the minimum wage.

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What they’re saying

“Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour will save this Commonwealth $300 million a year on entitlement programs like Medicaid.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania (Patch)

“The House of Representatives has passed legislation to increase our minimum wage twice, and each time, the Senate refused to act.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania (Patch)

What’s next

The proposal to raise Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour will now go to the Republican-controlled state Senate, which has previously blocked similar efforts.

The takeaway

Shapiro's push to boost Pennsylvania's minimum wage is part of a broader effort by Democrats to raise wages for low-income workers, but faces resistance from Republicans who control the state Senate.