RICHMOND, VA (Rocktown Now) — Governor Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation that will gradually raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2028, a move aimed at boosting worker pay and expanding economic opportunities across the Commonwealth.

The new law establishes a step-by-step increase in the state’s minimum wage, which is currently $12.77 per hour as of January 1, 2026. Under the legislation, the wage will rise to $13.75 in 2027 and reach $15 by January 1, 2028.

Spanberger said the measure is designed to help working Virginians better afford the rising cost of living.

“If you work full time in Virginia, you should be able to afford to live in Virginia,” Spanberger said. “You should be able to keep up with your rent or mortgage, fill your medications, and save for your kids’ futures.”

In addition to raising the minimum wage, the legislation ensures that farm workers will be paid the state minimum wage, a change the governor said supports both workers and the agricultural sector. She noted that the policy was crafted in coordination with industry stakeholders, including the Virginia Farm Bureau, to balance worker protections with the needs of farmers.

The legislation includes HB1 and SB1, sponsored by Delegate Jeion Ward and Senator L. Louise Lucas, respectively, which outline the wage increases. Additional measures, HB20 and SB121, extend minimum wage protections to agricultural workers.

Spanberger emphasized that the broader goal is to strengthen Virginia’s workforce and economic competitiveness.

“Virginia’s competitive advantage is our talent,” she said. “Investing in our workforce is a win for families, a win for local communities, and a win for the businesses that call Virginia home.”