MINNESOTA & NORTH DAKOTA – Minnesota’s labor and industry departments share the state’s minimum wage in 2026 will be $11.28 an hour for all workers.
That’s a 28 cent increase from this year.
Under state law, Minnesota’s minimum wage is increased each year based on inflation.
North Dakota’s minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal rate. That was put in place in 2009.
In January, Flag Family News spoke with Democratic-Nonpartisan League State Representative LaurieBeth Hager of Fargo who introduced bills in the last three legislative sessions to raise the minimum wage. The House voted 79 to 11 on her bill to not increase it to $9.25 an hour in March.
“We’re a wealthy state and we need to encourage everybody to know the worth of every individual,” Hager said.
Republican North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer has argued the way to raise wages is to knock down regulations for businesses, investors and financial institutions.
“Almost no one in North Dakota makes $7.25 an hour. If they do it’s likely a first job for a kid. I don’t believe a capitalist system requires a mandated minimum wage,” Cramer said in a statement to Flag Family in January. “Check with a McDonalds in Fargo and see what they pay.”
