Virginia’s minimum wage set to rise to $15 per hour by 2028 under new legislation
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) on Monday said she intends to sign legislation to raise Virginia's minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2028.
The governor's office announced on Monday, Feb. 26, that Spanberger pledged her support after the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 1 in a 20-19 vote, with all present Democrats voting in favor.
The bill would incrementally increase the Commonwealth’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2028 and ensure future increases keep pace with inflation.
The minimum wage, previously increased from $12.41 per hour to $12.77 per hour, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, per the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
This new legislation sets a legally mandated, scheduled increase for the state's hourly minimum wage, moving it to $15.00 by 2028, followed by annual inflation-based adjustments. After increasing to $12.77 per hour on Jan. 1, 2026, it will then increase to $13.75 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027, before 2028.
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SB 1 is now headed to the Virginia House of Delegates for consideration.
Spanberger's office shared the following statement with 8News:
“Across our Commonwealth, I’ve heard from Virginia families who are stretching their paychecks more than ever but still coming up short at the end of each month," Spanberger wrote in a release. "I’ve heard from Virginians who have had to choose between refilling their prescriptions, heating their homes, or keeping up with their rent or mortgage — all the while worrying about saving for their kids’ futures.
Every Virginian who works full time deserves the financial stability to support their families, plan for the future, and continue building a life here in the Commonwealth. But Virginians’ wages have not kept up with rising costs.
I look forward to signing this legislation into law to give Virginia workers a pay raise, and I’m grateful to the members of the General Assembly who have made stronger wages for working Virginians a priority."
