The nationally mandated minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour, though it varies by state. As of January 1, 2024, the District of Columbia had the highest minimum wage in the United States, at $17 per hour. Washington followed suit, with a state minimum wage of 16.28 US dollars per hour.

Minimum wage jobs are traditionally viewed as “starter jobs” in the United States, or first occupations for teenagers and young adults, and the number of individuals working at minimum wage has declined from almost four million in 1979 to approximately 247,000 in 2020. However, the number of workers receiving less than the minimum wage in 2020 was far higher, at approximately 865,000.

Food preparation and service industries, as well as sales jobs (mainly in retail), account for the majority of minimum-wage jobs. Because the minimum wage has not kept up with inflation and has not been raised since 2009, it is becoming increasingly difficult to live on a minimum wage job and for those workers to afford basic necessities such as rent.

Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana do not have a state minimum wage law.*Florida minimum wage increases $1 every September 30 until it reaches $15 in 2026.**In Georgia, the minimum wage for employers of six or more employees is $5.15 per hour, although employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federally mandated minimum of $7.25 per hour.***In Minnesota there are two minimum wage rates. The rate for large employers (annual receipts of more than $500,000) is $10.59. For employers with enterprises smaller than this the rate is $8.63.****In Montana, businesses with gross annual sales of less than $110,000 not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act may pay a minimum wage of $4.00 per hour.******In Nevada, the minimum wage for employees with qualifying health insurance not offered by employer is $10.50. Employees with qualifying health insurance offered by their employer have a minimum wage of $9.50 per hour. On July 1, 2023 the Nevada minimum wage increased to $11.25 for employees not offered qualifying health insurance, and to $10.25 for employees offered health insurance. Effective July 1, 2024, there will be a uniform minimum wage of $12 per hour for all employees.******In New Jersey, there is a minimum wage of $11.90 for seasonal and small employers who employ fewer than six people.*******In New York, the statewide minimum wage is $14.20 per hour. For Long Island and Westchester, and in New York City, the rate is $15.00 per hour.********In Ohio, businesses with gross annual sales of less than $305,000 may pay a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.*********In Oklahoma, businesses with gross annual sales of less than $100,000 or businesses with less than 10 employees may pay a minimum wage of $2.00 per hour.

Source: Statista