In 2024, the Virginia minimum wage did not increase, remaining at $12.00 per hour.
On January 1st, 2021, Virginia broke free of the federal minimum wage rate ($7.25 p/h) and upgraded the minimum wage rate for employees within the state to $9.50 per hour in 2021.
Now, in 2024, after another couple of January upgrades, the Virginia state minimum wage sits at $12.00 per hour.
If you are a full-time worker on minimum wage in Virginia, your earnings could be as follows:
- Weekly Minimum Wage: $480 (based on a 40-hour week)
- Yearly Minimum Wage: $24,960 (based on being paid 52 weeks per year)
The goal was to provide employers with the opportunity to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively giving them four additional months. The General Assembly approved Governor Northam’s amended version of the legislation on April 22nd, 2020.
The new law also directs three state agencies (including the Virginia Employment Commission) to conduct a joint review of the feasibility of implementing a regional minimum wage structure in the Commonwealth. The agencies must submit their findings to the General Assembly and Governor by December 1, 2023.
Did the Virginia Minimum Wage Go Up?
The graphic below highlights the Virginia minimum wage over the past several years:
Virginia Future Minimum Wage (Schedule)
Below we have the agreed-upon minimum wage rates for Virginia, from 2021 when the wage initially surpassed the federal wage, until 2026, when the wage is billed to reach $15 per hour.
Virginia Minimum Wage Increases
- May 1st, 2021 – $9.50 per hour
- January 1st, 2022 – $11.00 per hour
- January 1st, 2023 – $12.00 per hour
- January 1st, 2025 – $13.50 per hour (contingent)
- January 1st, 2026 – $15.00 per hour (contingent)
The increase will apply to those whose employment is covered by the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) and to public employees.
If you would have any questions or concerns regarding the Virginia state minimum wage, visit the Department of Labor website.
The Labor and Employment Law Division administer and enforces the laws of the Commonwealth that govern pay, assignment of wages, minimum wages, employment of children, the right to work, the human trafficking poster requirements, and certain other statutes that relate to the workplace.
You can also check back on this page often as this content will be constantly updated, giving you the most up-to-date Virginia state minimum wage.
Virginia Minimum Wage History
The table below shows the history of Virginia’s minimum wage over the years since 1983. You can see when there were increases in the minimum wage, how much they were, and what percentage increase it represents.
| Year | Minimum Wage | Increase ($) | Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12.00 | $0 | 0% |
| 2023 | $12.00 | $1.00 | 9% |
| 2022 | $11.00 | $1.50 | 15.7% |
| 2021 | $9.50 | $2.25 | 31% |
| 2020 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2019 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2018 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2017 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2016 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2015 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2014 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2013 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2012 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2011 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2010 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2009 | $7.25 | $0.70 | 10.6% |
| 2008 | $6.55 | $0 | 0% |
| 2007 | $5.85 | $0.70 | 13.59% |
| 2006 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2005 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2004 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2003 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2002 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2001 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2000 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 1999 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 1998 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 1997 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 1996 | $4.75 | $0.50 | 8.42% |
| 1995 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 1994 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 1993 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 1992 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 1991 | $3.65 | $1 | 37.73% |
| 1990 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| 1989 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| 1988 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| 1987 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| 1986 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| 1985 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| 1984 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| 1983 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Contact Information
Main Street Centre
600 East Main Street, Suite 207
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 371-2327
Fax: (804) 371-6524
Email: webmaster@doli.virginia.gov
Website: http://www.doli.virginia.gov
Virginia Minimum Wage Exemptions
In addition to the regular minimum wage rate, there are a few Virginia state minimum wage exemptions that typically depend on your age or employment situation.
Below are the various minimum wage exemptions with some situational examples.
Virginia Student Minimum Wage
The minimum wage for student employees in Virginia is 85% of the minimum wage, making their hourly pay $10.20 per hour in 2024.
This hourly rate is for any hours worked up to 20 hours per week. As a student employee, once you surpass 20 hours per week, you will be eligible for the Virginia minimum wage rate of $12.00 per hour.
Being a student can be financially challenging, leading many students to pick up part-time jobs to make extra money while studying. Despite a student minimum wage rate, many Virginia employers will not necessarily follow it and pay you equal to or more than the statewide minimum wage.
Many work-study programs are available at universities, which is a route many students go down. Still, coffee shop, cafe, bar, and restaurant jobs are commonly taken by students as they can work them into their class schedule.
Virginia Under 20 Minimum Wage
If you are under 20 years old in Virginia, federal law allows your employer to pay you as little as $4.25 per hour for your first 90 days of employment.
Once the 90-day period is over, you will be eligible to be paid the 2024 Virginia minimum wage of $12.00 per hour or potentially even more.
Fortunately for young workers, this is 90 calendar days and not 90 working days; therefore, it can be completed relatively quickly and within about three months.
Virginia Tipped Minimum Wage
If you are a tipped employee in Virginia (someone who receives regular tips as a part of their job) then you are eligible to be paid a minimum wage of $3.63 per hour, with a tip credit of $ per hour, ensuring that you reach the statewide minimum wage regardless if you make enough hourly tips.
Virginia Overtime Minimum Wage
Once you work over 40 hours in a working week you are eligible to be paid an overtime rate of 1.5 times your hourly wage for every hour you work past 40.
So, the overtime minimum wage in Virginia is $18.00 per hour, which is 1.5 times the minimum wage of $12.00 per hour.
