These States Have the Highest and Lowest Minimum Wages
Federal minimum wage laws and provisions apply to all employees working in the U.S., its territories, and its possessions. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
State and local jurisdictions have a right to establish their own wage laws separate from the federal minimum wage, making the location where work is performed a key element of labor and employment law. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia have established their own state wage laws and regulations.
[Download our chart of state minimum wage rates and credits for easy comparison of state-by-state wage laws, including exemptions and planned rate increases.]
State and local wage laws can sometimes override federal minimum wage laws. For instance, when an employee is subject to both state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages. For example, if an individual is employed in Arizona, where the state minimum wage is $14.35 per hour, that individual would receive the minimum wage designated by Arizona, not the federal rate of $7.25. But if a nonexempt individual is employed in Wyoming, where the state’s minimum wage is $5.15, they would be entitled to receive the higher federal minimum wage rate of $7.25.
Which states have the highest minimum wage?
These states and localities have the highest minimum wage rates in the U.S.:
- District of Columbia: $17
- Washington: $16.28
- California: $16
- New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties: $16
- Connecticut: $15.69
Local jurisdictions with a higher minimum wage
Local jurisdictions can create minimum wage laws, too. In some states, local governments also have a right to establish minimum wage rates for private employers that are higher than the statewide minimum wage rate. For example, the minimum wage in the Portland metro area is $15.45 per hour, compared to Oregon’s standard minimum wage rate of $14.20.
[Download our chart of state minimum wage rates and credits for easy comparison of state-by-state wage laws, including exemptions and planned rate increases.]
Which states have the lowest minimum wage?
These states and territories have the lowest minimum wage rates in the U.S.:
- Georgia: $5.15
- Wyoming: $5.15
- West Virginia: $8.75
- Minnesota: $8.85 (for small employers, or those with an annual gross revenue of less than $500,000)
- Puerto Rico: $9.50
Which states raised their minimum wage in 2024?
Changes to state and local minimum wage laws can be made annually, with most becoming effective Jan. 1 of the following year. While some states have laws that index their minimum wage for inflation, certain states and localities passed legislation to increase their minimum wage this year, effective Jan. 1, 2024:
- Delaware increased its minimum wage to $13.25, up from $11.75.
- Hawaii increased its minimum wage to $14, up from $12.
- Illinois increased its minimum wage to $14, up from $13.
- Maryland increased its minimum wage to $15, up from $13.25, for employers with at least 15 employees, and $12.80 for employers with no more than 14 employees.
- Michigan increased its minimum wage to $10.33, up from $10.10. The wage increase will be suspended if the prior year’s unemployment rate is at least 8.5%.
- Nebraska increased its minimum wage to $12, up from $10.50.
- Nevada increased its minimum wage to $12 for all employers, up from $11.25 for employers not providing health benefits and $10.25 for employers who do provide health benefits (effective July 1, 2024).
- New Jersey increased its minimum wage to $15.13 for most employers, up from $14.13; to $13.93 for seasonal employees and employers with no more than five employees, up from $12.93; to $12.81 for agricultural employers, up from $12.01; and to $18.13 for long-term care facility staff, up from $17.13.
- New York increased its minimum wage to $15, up from $14.20. New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties increased their minimum wage to $16, up from $15.
- Puerto Rico increased its minimum wage to $10.50, up from $9.50 (effective July 1, 2024).
- Rhode Island increased its minimum wage to $14, up from $13.
Your state wage law connection
Get focused, accurate, and urgent coverage on how to respond appropriately and effectively to changes in state wage laws. To get started, download our chart of state minimum wage rates and credits for easy comparison of state-by-state wage laws, including exemptions and planned rate increases.
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