Minimum Wage in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
Virginia Beach, Virginia follows the Virginia state minimum wage of $12.77/hour in 2026. As of 2026-09-10, TipFig identified no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance for Virginia Beach, so employers apply the state rate shown below. Below: how the federal, state, and local layers interact, the tipped-wage rules, and the official sources behind every figure.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · 2026-09-10 · reviewed against primary tipping and tax sources
Applicable minimum wage in Virginia Beach (2026)
$12.77/hr
Set by Virginia state law — the highest applicable layer (federal, state, or local) an employer must pay.
Federal, State & Local Layers
Federal Min
$7.25/hr
VA State Min
$12.77/hr
Local (City) Min
None — follows state
Tipped Cash Wage
$2.13/hr
State Effective
January 1, 2026 (through January 1, 2027)
Tip Credit?
Yes
The Virginia Minimum Wage Act (Va. Code § 40.1-28.10) sets the state rate; TipFig identified no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance for Virginia Beach as of 2026-09-10, so the $12.77 state rate applies. The tipped cash wage is the federal $2.13 floor with a $10.64 tip credit. The state rate rises to $13.75 on January 1, 2027.
How the Layers Interact
Three levels of government can set a minimum wage: the federal floor (Fair Labor Standards Act, $7.25/hour in 2026), the state rate, and any local (city or county) ordinance. By law, an employer must pay the highest rate that applies to the worker. When a state or city sets a rate above the federal floor, the higher rate governs; the federal rate is the backstop.
In Virginia Beach, no local ordinance overrides the Virginia state rate, so the state minimum of $12.77/hour is the applicable wage. Tipped employees may be paid a lower direct cash wage only where state law allows a tip credit; California and other no-tip-credit states require tipped workers to receive the full minimum wage before tips.
Related TipFig Tools
Turn the minimum wage into take-home pay and compare hourly vs. salary with our calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2026?
As of 2026-09-10, Virginia Beach has no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified, so employers apply the Virginia state minimum wage of $12.77/hour (effective January 1, 2026 (through January 1, 2027)). The federal floor is $7.25/hour; the higher state rate governs. Source: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry — Payment of Wage (Virginia Minimum Wage).
Does Virginia Beach have its own minimum wage or follow Virginia state law?
As of 2026-09-10, Virginia Beach follows Virginia state law ($12.77/hour). The Virginia Minimum Wage Act (Va. Code § 40.1-28.10) sets the state rate; TipFig identified no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance for Virginia Beach as of 2026-09-10, so the $12.77 state rate applies. The tipped cash wage is the federal $2.13 floor with a $10.64 tip credit. The state rate rises to $13.75 on January 1, 2027.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Virginia Beach?
In Virginia, tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $2.13/hour, with a tip credit making up the difference to the full $12.77/hour minimum. If tips don't bring total pay to the minimum, the employer must make up the shortfall.
Where can I verify the Virginia Beach minimum wage?
The authoritative figures are published by Virginia Department of Labor and Industry — Payment of Wage (Virginia Minimum Wage) (https://doli.virginia.gov/programs/labor-law/payment-of-wage) and the U.S. Department of Labor Consolidated Minimum Wage Table. Minimum wages change frequently; always confirm the current rate with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions.
Other Minimum-Wage City Pages
Minimum-wage figures are compiled from public government sources for informational use and may change; verify with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions. State minimum-wage source: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry — Payment of Wage (Virginia Minimum Wage) (retrieved 2026-09-10). Federal minimum wage: U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Consolidated Minimum Wage Table (Effective July 1, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-10). This page is not legal advice. See TipFig's Disclaimer.