City of Saint Paul Minimum Wage Increases for Small and Micro Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2026

City of Saint Paul Minimum Wage Increases July 1 for Small and Micro Businesses

SAINT PAUL - Minimum wage annual increases for small and micro businesses go into effect today, July 1, 2026. The minimum wage hourly rate will be:

• $16.37 for small businesses (6-100 employees)
• $14.25 for micro businesses (5 employees or fewer)
• Minimum wage will remain at $16.37 for large and macro businesses (101+ employees).

Beginning July 1, 2026, youth workers (14-17 years old) must also be paid at least $13.95 per hour for 90 consecutive days following their hiring date. After the 90 days, these employees shall be paid the applicable City minimum wage rate based on the appropriate business size.

Employers must count all employees whether employed full-time, part-time, jointly with another employer, or working temporarily, including remote employees.

RECENT MINIMUM WAGE ENFORCEMENT ACTION

On May 20, 2026, the Saint Paul City Council adopted a Resolution finding that Class "A" Valet, Inc. violated Sections 224.03 and 224.08 of Saint Paul Legislative Code, Chapter 224, the City's Minimum Wage Ordinance.

The Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) received a complaint in February 2025, alleging that employees were not being paid the required City minimum wage rate. Following an investigation, HREEO determined that Class "A" Valet, Inc., which provided contracted valet parking services in Saint Paul between February 2024 and March 1, 2025, paid covered employees between $1.00 and $2.00 below the required hourly minimum wage, and failed to provide required annual employee notices regarding the City's Minimum Wage Ordinance.

HREEO's investigation found that approximately seven employees were affected by the violations. Each employee worked approximately 952 hours during the relevant period and are entitled to $1,547 in back pay.

As a result, the City Council imposed a total restitution amount of $21,658, consisting of $10,829 in back pay and $10,829 in liquidated damages, to be paid to the seven affected employees.

ABOUT SAINT PAUL'S MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE AND LABOR STANDARDS DIVISION

On November 14, 2018, the Saint Paul City Council unanimously approved Chapter 244, the City's Minimum Wage Ordinance, which was subsequently signed into law. The Ordinance establishes minimum wage rates based on business size. Wage schedules, updated workplace notice posters, and additional information are available at stpaul.gov/minimumwage.

The Labor Standards Division within the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) is responsible for the education and enforcement of the City's Minimum Wage, Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), and Wage Theft Ordinances. The division provides free training and education to workers and businesses in Saint Paul.

Employers and employees with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Labor Standards Division at 651-266-8966 or by email at [email protected].

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