Exempt salary threshold 2027 by state
An exempt (executive, administrative or professional) employee must be paid a salary of at least the threshold, or they are owed overtime. The federal threshold is $684.00 a week ($35,568 a year). 7 state or regional thresholds are higher; where both apply, the higher one wins. Figures checked on the official pages on 2026-09-30.
Open the 2027 minimum wage by state
2027 thresholds above the federal level
| Jurisdiction | Now | 2027 | Status | Expected by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $58,240 | $62,400 a year ($1,200.00 a week) | Announced | |
| California | $70,304 | $72,384 a year ($1,392.00 a week) | Announced | |
| Colorado | $57,784 | To be announced | To be announced | |
| Maine | $45,300 | $47,101 a year ($905.79 a week) | Announced | |
| New York - NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester | $66,300 | To be announced | To be announced | |
| New York - rest of state | $62,353 | To be announced | To be announced | |
| Washington | $80,168 | To be announced, expected by September 2026 | To be announced | September 2026 |
How each state sets it
- Alaska: 2 x state minimum wage x 40 hours per week (AS 23.10.055); annual = weekly x 52. Rule source
- California: 2 x state minimum wage x 2080 hours (monthly salary of at least 2 x state minimum wage for full-time employment; weekly = 2 x MW x 40). Rule source
- Colorado: Indexed every January 1 by the same CPI as the Colorado minimum wage (base $55,000 in 2024); annual = weekly x 52, rounded to nearest dollar. Rule source
- Maine: Salary must exceed 3000 x state minimum hourly wage per year (or the federal level, whichever is higher). Rule source
- New York - NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester: Weekly salary set by NY DOL wage order (12 NYCRR 142-2.14), increased proportionately with each minimum wage increase; annual = weekly x 52. Rule source
- New York - rest of state: Weekly salary set by NY DOL wage order (12 NYCRR 142-2.14), increased proportionately with each minimum wage increase; annual = weekly x 52. Rule source
- Washington: Multiple of state minimum wage x 40 hours/week (annual x 52): 2026 = 2.25x all employers; 2027 = 2.25x (<=50 employees) / 2.5x (>50); 2028+ = 2.5x all. Rule source
- Federal: Fixed amount in 29 CFR Part 541 (2019 rule): $684/week. Rule source
Many of these thresholds are a multiple of the state minimum wage, so they move when it does; a threshold marked "to be announced" follows a minimum wage or index that is not published yet. The salary test is only half of the exemption: the duties test still applies. To check salaried staff on your list against the 2027 threshold, mark them exempt in the raise calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the exempt salary threshold in California for 2027?
- California: now $70,304 a year ($1,352.00 a week); 2027: $72,384 a year ($1,392.00 a week) (from January 1, 2027). Rule: 2 x state minimum wage x 2080 hours (monthly salary of at least 2 x state minimum wage for full-time employment; weekly = 2 x MW x 40).
- What is the exempt salary threshold in New York for 2027?
- New York - NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester: now $66,300 a year ($1,275.00 a week); 2027: To be announced (from January 1, 2027). Rule: Weekly salary set by NY DOL wage order (12 NYCRR 142-2.14), increased proportionately with each minimum wage increase; annual = weekly x 52. New York - rest of state: now $62,353 a year ($1,199.10 a week); 2027: To be announced (from January 1, 2027). Rule: Weekly salary set by NY DOL wage order (12 NYCRR 142-2.14), increased proportionately with each minimum wage increase; annual = weekly x 52.
- What is the Washington State exempt salary threshold for 2027?
- Washington: now $80,168 a year ($1,541.70 a week); 2027: To be announced, expected by September 2026 (from January 1, 2027). Rule: Multiple of state minimum wage x 40 hours/week (annual x 52): 2026 = 2.25x all employers; 2027 = 2.25x (<=50 employees) / 2.5x (>50); 2028+ = 2.5x all.
- What is the Colorado exempt salary threshold for 2027?
- Colorado: now $57,784 a year ($1,111.23 a week); 2027: To be announced (from January 1, 2027). Rule: Indexed every January 1 by the same CPI as the Colorado minimum wage (base $55,000 in 2024); annual = weekly x 52, rounded to nearest dollar.
- What is the federal exempt salary threshold in 2027?
- $35,568 a year ($684.00 a week). The 2024 rule that would have raised it was vacated, and no change is scheduled for 2027.
More guides
- Minimum wage increases in 2027: the list by state and date
Every state and city minimum wage increase published for 2027, with the new rate, the date (January 1 or July 1), the change and the official source.
- Tipped minimum wage 2027 by state: the cash wage
The minimum cash wage for tipped employees in every state for 2027, the states with no tip credit, and the federal $2.13, from official sources.
- How to budget for 2027 minimum wage raises (worked example)
Who on your staff list falls under a 2027 floor, from which date, the raise per hour and the cost for the year: the method step by step on a sample roster.
Last updated 2026-09-30. Rates from official state and city sources, checked on the date shown next to each figure. Some 2027 rates are announced later in the year. Not legal advice; check your state labor department and local ordinances. Not affiliated with the US Department of Labor or any state agency.