Florida Preempts Local Minimum Wage Ordinances

Section 218.077, Florida Statutes, prohibits political subdivisions from establishing, mandating, or otherwise requiring an employer to pay a minimum wage other than the state or federal minimum wage. A narrow exception allows a political subdivision to set wages for its own direct employees or for contractors performing work directly for that subdivision. The statewide minimum wage is set by Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and is rising annually toward $15 per hour by September 30, 2026. Cities cannot impose broader living-wage requirements on private-sector employers within their jurisdictions.

Local minimum wage ordinances applied to private employers are unenforceable; affected employers may seek declaratory and injunctive relief.