The minimum wage in Saint Paul is $15.57/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $21.50/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 Saint Paul.
The minimum wage in Saint Paul is the City of Saint Paul minimum of $15.57/hour. Saint Paul sets its own local minimum wage of $15.57/hour for large employers, above the Minnesota statewide rate, and phases in higher rates for smaller employers over time. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Saint Paul. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,300/month and a cost-of-living index of 103 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Saint Paul, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.57 | $32,386 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $21.50 | $44,720 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $43.50 | $90,480 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $15,600 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Ramsey County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Saint Paul.
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota and the eastern half of the Twin Cities, anchored by state government, higher education, healthcare, insurance and financial services, and a historic riverfront economy along the Mississippi.
| Local Metric | Saint Paul (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 310,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Ramsey County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 103 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $43.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.57/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,300/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Median home price | $290,000 |
| Median household income | $70,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7.875% |
| 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 Saint Paul is the City of Saint Paul minimum of $15.57/hour. Saint Paul sets its own local minimum wage of $15.57/hour for large employers, above the Minnesota statewide rate, and phases in higher rates for smaller employers over time. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $32,386 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Ramsey County needs about $21.50/hour (roughly $44,720/year) to cover basic costs. That is $5.93/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $43.50/hour.
At $15.57/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $32,386 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $24,289/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Saint Paul is about $1,300/month, or $15,600/year.
Saint Paul sets its own local minimum wage of $15.57/hour for large employers, above the Minnesota statewide rate, and phases in higher rates for smaller employers over time.
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 Saint Paul.