The minimum wage in Tampa is $14.00/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 Tampa.
The minimum wage in Tampa is the Florida statewide rate of $14.00/hour. Florida sets a statewide minimum wage above the federal rate that rises to $15.00 on September 30, 2026 under a 2020 constitutional amendment. Cities in Florida cannot set their own minimum wage. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Tampa. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,750/month and a cost-of-living index of 102 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage can be significant.
| Benchmark (Tampa, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $14.00 | $29,120 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $21.00 | $43,680 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $41.00 | $85,280 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Florida 2026 scheduled minimum (Sept 30, 2026) | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $21,000 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Hillsborough County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Tampa.
Tampa anchors the Tampa Bay region with a diversified economy spanning finance and insurance back-office operations, healthcare, the Port of Tampa Bay, defense at MacDill Air Force Base (home to U.S. Central Command), and a booming tourism and technology scene.
| Local Metric | Tampa (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 400,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Hillsborough County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 102 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $41.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $14.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,750/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,150/month |
| Median home price | $400,000 |
| Median household income | $66,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.09% 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 Tampa is the Florida statewide rate of $14.00/hour. Florida sets a statewide minimum wage above the federal rate that rises to $15.00 on September 30, 2026 under a 2020 constitutional amendment. Cities in Florida cannot set their own minimum wage. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $29,120 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Hillsborough County needs about $21.00/hour (roughly $43,680/year) to cover basic costs. That is $7.00/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $41.00/hour.
At $14.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $29,120 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $21,840/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Tampa is about $1,750/month, or $21,000/year.
Tampa does not set a separate city minimum wage. Florida sets one statewide rate that rises with a 2020 constitutional amendment and preempts local minimum wage laws.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Florida sets a higher state minimum, so $14.00/hour applies in Tampa instead, and the state preempts local ordinances.