Florida's minimum wage went up by one dollar on Sept. 30, 2026, moving from $14 to $15 an hour[2]. For employees paid as tipped workers, the direct cash wage employers must pay is now $11.98 an hour[3]. The change applies to covered, nonexempt employees in Florida, which can include staff at hotels and at the cleaning contractors that run their housekeeping departments.
The last scheduled step
The $15 rate completes the step-by-step schedule that voters approved through Amendment 2[1]. The measure cleared the 60% vote threshold it needed by a narrow margin[1].
With the schedule finished, Florida goes back to yearly inflation adjustments, the approach the state used before Amendment 2[1]. Reporting says the inflation-based process begins in 2027[2]. That refers to when the next rate is worked out, which is not the same as the day a new rate takes effect. Until the state publishes an adjusted rate and it takes effect, $15 remains the floor. Check the official state notice for the effective date of the first adjusted rate. Its size is not part of the current reporting.
Tipped wages and the tip credit
The tip credit Florida employers may apply stays at $3.02 an hour[2]. That amount is the gap between the $15 standard rate and the $11.98 direct wage for tipped employees[3]. Whether any hotel role qualifies for tipped treatment depends on federal and state rules, so check with your payroll or legal advisor before applying the credit.
What it means for hotel housekeeping in Florida
Covered, nonexempt room attendants, housepersons, laundry staff and public area cleaners who earned close to the old $14 floor now need at least $15 for each hour worked. For cleaning contractors that bill hotels per room or per hour, the higher floor raises labor cost per cleaned room unless pricing or workload per shift changes. Contracts signed before Sept. 30 may still carry rates built on the $14 wage.
Because the rate will move with inflation each year once adjustments take effect, hotels and contractors face a recurring wage change rather than a fixed end point. This article covers Florida state law only. Which employees are covered or exempt, along with city or county rules and federal law, depends on your situation, so check with your advisor.
ARPCLEAN take
What does this mean for housekeeping?
For cleaning contractors
- Payroll rates: confirm every covered, nonexempt employee working in Florida is paid at least $15 an hour for hours worked since Sept. 30, 2026.
- Contract pricing: review per-room and hourly rates in hotel contracts that were priced on the $14 wage.
- Yearly changes: watch for the state's published adjusted rate and its effective date, and check how your contracts handle yearly wage changes.
For hotels
- In-house staff: check covered, nonexempt housekeeping and laundry pay rates against the $15 floor, and any tipped setup against the $11.98 direct wage.
- Vendor invoices: expect contractors to raise price discussions and compare their figures with the one dollar increase.
Bill the hotel and pay the cleaners
Per-room rates, tracked hours, and the invoice that comes out of both.
Staff, minutes per room and cost per room in one calculation.
Calculate cost per room →Sources
- 1Florida's last minimum wage hike is now in effect. Here's what comes nextWKMG ClickOrlando ·
- 2Florida's minimum wage increases to $15 this week. What workers, employers need to knowNews4JAX (WJXT) ·
- 3Florida minimum wage rises Sep. 30 to $15 for non-tipped workers, $11.98 for tippedWEAR-TV
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About this story
ARPCLEAN Editorial
Archie Grey is the pen name of the ARPCLEAN editorial team for English-language news. This story was prepared with AI assistance, checked against the linked sources and approved by our editors before publication. Spotted a mistake? Write to [email protected].
No corrections since publication.
