Bill to Increase Virginia’s Minimum Wage Passes in House and Senate

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If signed into law, the legislation will increase the wage to $15 per hour by January 2028.

By Debbie Williams February 18, 2026 at 10:10 am

A bill to increase the minimum wage in Virginia has passed the House, and its companion passed in the state Senate. The legislation would increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by January 2028. The current minimum wage is $12.77.

If signed into law, the state’s minimum wage would be codified at $12.77 per hour, and increase that went into effect at the start of this year, up from $12.41 per hour. The minimum wage would then increase to $13.75 per hour in January 2027, and to $15 per hour in January 2028. These adjustments are intended to reflect increases in the consumer price index.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger released a statement on Monday pledging to sign the legislation. “Every Virginian who works full time deserves the financial stability to support their families, plan for the future, and continue building a life here in the Commonwealth. But Virginians’ wages have not kept up with rising costs,” she said. “I look forward to signing this legislation into law to give Virginia workers a pay raise, and I’m grateful to the members of the General Assembly who have made stronger wages for working Virginians a priority.”

A similar bill to increase the minimum wage was vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024.

Feature image, Nattakorn/stock.adobe.com