The minimum wage in Rochester is $11.13/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $21.00/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 Rochester.
The minimum wage in Rochester is the Minnesota statewide minimum of $11.13/hour. Rochester follows the Minnesota statewide minimum wage, which the state indexes to inflation each January (about $11.13), and it does not set a separate city rate. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Rochester. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,150/month and a cost-of-living index of 101 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Rochester, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $11.13 | $23,150 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $21.00 | $43,680 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $42.50 | $88,400 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $13,800 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Olmsted County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Rochester.
Rochester is defined by the Mayo Clinic, one of the largest and most renowned medical centers in the world, which anchors a healthcare, biotechnology, and research economy and drives the multibillion-dollar Destination Medical Center development.
| Local Metric | Rochester (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 125,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Olmsted County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 101 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $11.13/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,450/month |
| Median home price | $320,000 |
| Median household income | $80,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.125% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.1% 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 Rochester is the Minnesota statewide minimum of $11.13/hour. Rochester follows the Minnesota statewide minimum wage, which the state indexes to inflation each January (about $11.13), and it does not set a separate city rate. 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 Olmsted County needs about $21.00/hour (roughly $43,680/year) to cover basic costs. That is $9.87/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $42.50/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 Rochester is about $1,150/month, or $13,800/year.
Rochester follows the Minnesota statewide minimum wage, which the state indexes to inflation each January (about $11.13), and it does not set a separate city rate.
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 Rochester.