The minimum wage in Duluth is $11.13/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $19.50/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Duluth.
The minimum wage in Duluth is the Minnesota statewide minimum of $11.13/hour. Duluth follows the Minnesota statewide minimum wage, which the state indexes to inflation each January (about $11.13), as the baseline for most employers. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Duluth. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,050/month and a cost-of-living index of 92 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Duluth, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $11.13 | $23,150 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $19.50 | $40,560 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $39.50 | $82,160 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $12,600 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for St. Louis County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Duluth.
Duluth sits at the western tip of Lake Superior and is home to one of the busiest Great Lakes ports, with an economy spanning shipping and logistics, healthcare, higher education, aviation, and a fast-growing tourism and outdoor-recreation sector.
| Local Metric | Duluth (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 86,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | St. Louis County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 92 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $39.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $11.13/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,050/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,300/month |
| Median home price | $250,000 |
| Median household income | $60,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.875% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.15% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Duluth is the Minnesota statewide minimum of $11.13/hour. Duluth follows the Minnesota statewide minimum wage, which the state indexes to inflation each January (about $11.13), as the baseline for most employers. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $23,150 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in St. Louis County needs about $19.50/hour (roughly $40,560/year) to cover basic costs. That is $8.37/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $39.50/hour.
At $11.13/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $23,150 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $17,363/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Duluth is about $1,050/month, or $12,600/year.
Duluth follows the Minnesota statewide minimum wage, which the state indexes to inflation each January (about $11.13), as the baseline for most employers.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Minnesota sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor and indexes it to inflation each January; Minneapolis and Saint Paul set higher local minimums, so the applicable rate applies in Duluth.