Alabama Minimum Wage 2026
Current minimum wage, scheduled increases, tipped worker rules, and political context for Alabama’s wage policy in 2026.
$7.25
Current Minimum Wage
$7.25
Projected 2026 Rate
$2.13
Tipped Worker Rate
None
Scheduled Increases
Minimum Wage Overview
Alabama has no state minimum wage law and defaults to the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009. The state is one of five with no state-level minimum wage law. Alabama has among the lowest wages in the nation.
Wage Policy Details
| Policy | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour |
| Tipped Worker Minimum | $2.13/hour |
| Scheduled Increases | None |
| Projected 2026 Rate | $7.25/hour |
| Legislative Source | Federal floor (no state law) |
Political Context
Alabama Republicans have strongly opposed raising the minimum wage, framing it as a business burden. Democrats and labor advocates have pushed for increases but lack the legislative votes. The low minimum wage is defended as necessary for a low-cost-of-living state with manufacturing competitiveness concerns.