Saint Paul Minimum Wage 2026
The minimum wage in Saint Paul, MN is $15.97/hr ($4.84 above the $11.13 Minnesota state minimum). Saint Paul phases its ordinance by employer size. Large employers (101+) pay the standard city minimum.
Saint Paul vs. Minnesota vs. federal
Saint Paul sets a higher floor than Minnesota law ($11.13/hr statewide) and well above the federal minimum of $7.25/hr. When city, state, and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the highest rate for hours worked inside Saint Paul city limits. Workers earning at the Saint Paul minimum make $8.72 more per hour than the federal floor.
What this means for hiring in Saint Paul
A higher local wage means every hour of a bad hire costs more. The cost of replacing an hourly worker typically runs 30% of first-year wages, and in Saint Paul that number sits well above what it would be elsewhere in Minnesota. That's why employers here are moving away from resume-only screening toward seeing real proof of skill before they bring someone on.
On Vetano, every candidate in Saint Paul is ID-verified and shows their skills on video before you ever see their profile, so you spend your Saint Paul minimum-wage hours on people who can actually do the job.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Saint Paul?+
$15.97 per hour as of 2026-07-26. Saint Paul phases its ordinance by employer size. Large employers (101+) pay the standard city minimum.
Is Saint Paul's minimum wage higher than Minnesota's state minimum?+
Yes. Saint Paul requires $15.97/hr, compared to $11.13/hr statewide. The higher rate applies to work performed within city limits.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Saint Paul?+
Saint Paul requires the full local minimum for tipped workers, before tips.
Is Saint Paul's minimum wage going up?+
No scheduled increases at this time.
Hiring hourly workers in Saint Paul?
Post a job on Vetano and reach ID-verified candidates in Saint Paul who show their skills on video. First 30 days free.
Free for talent to get hired. Talent Pro ($79/mo) is optional for gig work, and Vetano never takes a cut of what workers earn.
Other city minimum wages
Cities where the local minimum exceeds the state rate. Also see the full state wage index.