Map Shows How Minimum Wage Compares Across US States
Summary
Seventeen states and local areas raised their minimum wage this month to help workers keep up with rising prices. The federal minimum wage has stayed at $7.25 per hour since 2009, losing much of its value due to inflation, leading many states to set higher local rates.Key Facts
- The federal minimum wage has not increased since 2009 and remains $7.25 per hour.
- Inflation has reduced the buying power of the federal minimum wage by over 27% since 2009 and 40% since 1968.
- Seventeen states and localities raised their minimum wages in July, affecting about 361,000 workers.
- Washington state has the highest minimum wage at $17.13 per hour, creating a large gap compared to states with only the federal rate.
- Thirty states and Washington, D.C. have minimum wages higher than the federal level.
- Some states, mainly in the South, stick to the $7.25 minimum because they do not have their own wage laws or their laws set lower wages.
- A new federal bill proposes gradually raising the national minimum wage to $25 per hour by 2031-2039 depending on business size.
- The proposed raise aims to support workers and is part of a broader political effort to connect with working-class voters.
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