Minimum Wage Preemption: Dearborn vs Detroit
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Dearborn, MI and Detroit, MI?
Dearborn has fewer restrictions than Detroit.
Dearborn, MI
Wayne County
Michigan's Mothering Justice ruling (July 2024) restored the voter-approved minimum wage path, lifting Wayne County's floor from $10.33 to $12.48 in February 2026 with phased increases reaching about $15 by 2028. Local minimum wage preemption (MCL §408.934) blocks cities from setting higher floors.
View full Dearborn rules →Detroit, MI
Wayne County
Michigan's MCL 408.934 bars Detroit from setting a local minimum wage above the state floor. After the 2024 Supreme Court ruling restoring the original petition, the state wage rises from $12.48 toward $15 by 2027.
View full Detroit rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 wage | $12.48 hourly | - |
| 2028 target | About $14.97 | - |
| Local floors | Preempted | - |
| Tipped wage | Approaching parity | - |
| Preemption statute | - | MCL 408.934 |
| Current wage (2026) | - | $12.48 per hour |
| Target by 2027 | - | Approximately $15 |
| 2024 court ruling | - | Restored citizen petition |
| Local authority | - | None permitted |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dearborn FAQ
Can Detroit set its own higher minimum wage?
No. Michigan preempts local minimum wage under MCL §408.934. Detroit and other Wayne County cities must follow the state schedule, which is climbing toward $15 by 2028.
Did tipped employees get a raise too?
Yes. The Mothering Justice ruling phases tipped minimum wage from 38 percent toward 100 percent of standard minimum, eliminating Michigan's tip credit by approximately 2030.
Detroit FAQ
Can Detroit pass a $20 minimum wage?
No. State preemption under MCL 408.934 bars any local wage exceeding Michigan's floor. Only the legislature or citizen petition can change Michigan's minimum wage.
What changed after the 2024 court ruling?
The Michigan Supreme Court invalidated the 2018 Legislature's adopt-and-amend, restoring the original wage and sick time petitions, accelerating the climb toward $15.
Compare other topics
See how Dearborn and Detroit compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool