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Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors Increasing Soon

Jennifer Weiss
By: Jennifer Weiss
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About the Author

Jennifer keeps readers current on Payroll news, covering topics such as employment taxes, fringe benefits and the Fair Labor Standards Act. She brings over 20 years of experience to the HRMorning staff.

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Last Updated: March 20, 2026
1 minute engagement

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a Federal Register notice increasing the minimum wage for certain federal contractors.

Here are the details contained in the February 9, 2026, notice.

First, it’s important to clarify that the rate change applies to federal contracts covered by Executive Order (EO) 13658 – i.e., those entered into between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, and not renewed or extended on or after January 30, 2022.

For covered contracts, here’s what’s changing on May 11, 2026:

  • Minimum wage will increase to $13.65 per hour (up from $13.30), and
  • Required minimum cash wage paid to tipped employees will increase to $9.55 per hour (up from $9.30).

Ending point

Next, the DOL notice explained that on March 14, 2025, EO 14236 revoked EO 14026.

The latter had increased the minimum wage rate for contracts entered into on or after January 30, 2022.

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