Virginia Democrats advance push for minimum wage increase
The House Appropriations Committee voted 15-7 along party lines Wednesday to approve a bill to increase the state minimum wage.
HB 1, proposed by Del. Jeion A. Ward, D-Hampton, would raise the minimum wage to $13.75 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2027 and raise the minimum wage again to $15 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2028.
Attempts made to pass similar bills in 2024 and 2025 were both vetoed by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The last time Virginia legislation implemented an increase in the state minimum wage was with the introduction of HB 395 in 2020, which included a pause at $12 an hour unless the bill was reenacted.
Since Jan. 1, 2023, the minimum wage has stayed around $12 an hour, increasing to $12.41 in 2025 and $12.77 in 2026, with adjustments being made based on the Consumer Price Index.
Even with adjustments to the minimum wage with the use of the Consumer Price Index, Ward says the state’s minimum wage is lagging behind.
“There was no increase in 2024, and since 2025, Virginians have only seen tiny inflation adjustments. Meanwhile, inflation has been aggressive, to put it mildly. We’re behind schedule, and our workers need a raise NOW,” said Ward.
A key component of HB 1 is that minimum wage increases will be tied to inflation using the Consumer Price Index, ensuring that it will stay on pace with increase in price of groceries and rent.
“Going forward, the commonwealth’s minimum wage will be $15 plus inflation, the federal minimum wage, or whatever the general assembly further increases it to – whichever is highest,” said Ward.
Co-Chief sponsor of the bill, Del. Elizabeth R. Guzmán, D- Prince William, described what this bill would mean for working Virginians.
“When I first came to Virginia, I worked three minimum-wage jobs just to make ends meet,” said Guzmán. “I know firsthand the struggle many Virginians are facing today because I’ve lived them.”
She continued: “Raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2028 is a necessary step toward restoring fairness and dignity to work. It means parents can support their families, students can afford to live and work in their communities, and workers can pay their monthly bills without impossible tradeoffs.”
The total budgetary impact for this bill would be $546,000 in fiscal year 2027 and $13.8 million in fiscal year 2028.
In her address to the Virginia General Assembly, Gov. Abigail Spanberger said that increasing the minimum wage is a top priority .
The bill will be scheduled for full House consideration.
