Virginia Minimum Wage to Reach $15 by 2028

State's incremental wage hikes aim to boost worker pay and economic competitiveness.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:40pm

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A conceptual illustration using bold geometric shapes and primary colors to represent the gradual increase of Virginia's minimum wage over several years, without any text or identifiable elements.Virginia's measured approach to raising the minimum wage aims to balance worker pay and economic competitiveness.Hopewell Today

Virginia's minimum wage will gradually increase from the current $9.50 per hour to $15 per hour by January 1, 2028, according to a new state law. The wage hikes are part of an effort to improve worker pay and economic competitiveness in the state.

Why it matters

Raising the minimum wage is a controversial but common policy tool used by states to address income inequality and boost consumer spending. Virginia hopes these increases will help attract and retain talent, a key factor in the state's economic development strategy.

The details

Under the new law, Virginia's minimum wage will rise in the following increments: $11 per hour on January 1, 2024; $12 per hour on January 1, 2025; $13.50 per hour on January 1, 2026; $14.50 per hour on January 1, 2027; and $15 per hour on January 1, 2028.

  • The minimum wage will increase to $11 per hour on January 1, 2024.
  • The minimum wage will increase to $12 per hour on January 1, 2025.
  • The minimum wage will increase to $13.50 per hour on January 1, 2026.
  • The minimum wage will increase to $14.50 per hour on January 1, 2027.
  • The minimum wage will increase to $15 per hour on January 1, 2028.

The players

Virginia

The U.S. state that is implementing a series of minimum wage increases from 2024 to 2028.

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The takeaway

These gradual minimum wage hikes aim to make Virginia more economically competitive by improving worker pay and attracting top talent to the state, though the policy remains controversial.