Employment & Worker Protection · Connecticut
Connecticut Minimum Wage
C.G.S. 31-58 - enacted in Connecticut.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2023
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 62/100
- Connecticut strictness
The bottom line
Connecticut Minimum Wage is an enacted law in Connecticut, part of a mature, broadly-adopted employment & worker protection landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2025-01-01
- 51
- states have employment & worker protection laws
- 107/107
- employment & worker protection laws enacted nationally
- 62/100
- Connecticut strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Connecticut legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: Connecticut Minimum Wage
Connecticut Minimum Wage (C.G.S. 31-58) is an enacted law in Connecticut under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2023-01-01 and becomes effective on 2025-01-01. Connecticut currently reports 6 tracked regulations with 6 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 62/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 107 employment & worker protection statutes have been enacted and 0 additional bills remain pending - 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Connecticut within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in C.G.S. 31-58 itself.
Applicability under Connecticut Minimum Wage: All employers in Connecticut. Penalty exposure is documented as: Dept of Labor enforcement. Back wages + penalties. Notable exemptions: Agriculture, domestic service, summer camps..
Summary
Connecticut minimum wage $16.35/hr (2025). Indexed to Employment Cost Index starting 2024.
Key Requirements
$16.35/hr (2025). Annual ECI indexing. Tipped: $8.23/hr for hotel/restaurants, $7.46/hr for bartenders. Wait staff $7.62/hr.
Penalties
Dept of Labor enforcement. Back wages + penalties.
Applicability
All employers in Connecticut.
Exemptions
Agriculture, domestic service, summer camps.
Official Source
https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wgwkstnd/wage-hour.htmHow Connecticut compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - Connecticut ranks #4 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut (this state) | 62 |
| 5 | Illinois | 62 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 7 | New York | 62 |
| 8 | Oregon | 62 |
| 9 | Washington | 62 |
| 10 | Delaware | 59 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Connecticut is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Connecticut Minimum Wage enacted?
Connecticut Minimum Wage was enacted on 2023-01-01 and became effective on 2025-01-01. It was introduced as C.G.S. 31-58.
What are the penalties for violating Connecticut Minimum Wage?
Dept of Labor enforcement. Back wages + penalties. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Connecticut Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
All employers in Connecticut. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Connecticut compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Connecticut has a regulatory strictness score of 62/100, based on 6 enacted regulations out of 6 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Connecticut Minimum Wage?
The official text of Connecticut Minimum Wage (C.G.S. 31-58) is available from the Connecticut legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Connecticut Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- Connecticut Minimum Wage is enacted in Connecticut, effective 2025-01-01. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; Connecticut ranks #4 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Connecticut tracks across all five policy areas. Connecticut profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Connecticut source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.