Minimum Wage Preemption: Bridgeport vs Stamford
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Bridgeport, CT and Stamford, CT?
Stamford has fewer restrictions than Bridgeport.
Bridgeport, CT
Fairfield County
Bridgeport cannot set its own minimum wage. Connecticut General Statutes §31-58 establishes a uniform statewide floor of $16.35 per hour as of January 2026, indexed annually to the federal employment cost index.
View full Bridgeport rules →Stamford, CT
Fairfield County
Connecticut establishes a uniform minimum wage statewide under CGS Section 31-58, with scheduled increases preempting separate municipal wage laws.
View full Stamford rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bridgeport | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide rate 2026 | $16.35/hour | - |
| Indexing | Federal ECI annual | - |
| Local authority | None (preempted) | - |
| Tipped wage | $8.23 with tip credit | - |
| Statute | CGS §31-58 | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bridgeport FAQ
Has any CT city tried to raise its minimum wage?
New Haven and Hartford have studied local wage floors but none enacted one, recognizing state preemption. Bridgeport has not pursued a local minimum wage.
Are there industry-specific exceptions?
Yes. Tipped service workers, learners, persons with disabilities, and farm workers have separate sub-rates under CGS §31-60, but all are statewide rules — not municipal.
Stamford FAQ
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