Federal Minimum Wage by State – 2023 & 2024

Federal Minimum Wage 2024

The federal minimum wage for 2024 is $7.25 per hour. Some states and countries have raised their own minimum wages since it has not been increased since July 2009.

The federal minimum wage rates below are for general informational purposes only and may change during the calendar year. They should not be used as legal or professional advice. Ensure you contact your state agency for more information regarding rates and wages specific to your location/State.

 

What Is The Minimum Wage?

The minimum wage rate can be defined as “the minimum amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay wage earners for the work performed during a given period, which cannot be reduced by collective agreement or an individual contract.”

In the US, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes a minimum wage for employees in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments.

Federal Minimum Wage

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

  • $5.15 – Sep 01, 1997
  • $5.85 – July 24, 2007
  • $6.55 – July 24, 2008
  • $7.25 – July 24, 2009

The Federal minimum wage hasn’t gone up in a decade. Some states, cities, and counties are increasing their minimum wage rates based on the cost of living. In those cases, as a business owner or employer, you are required to pay your employees a higher amount.

State Minimum Wage Rates From 2019 to 2024

In 2024, more than 20 states across the country will increase their minimum wages for workers.

Since 1984, CheckMark has been helping small businesses stay in compliance with Federal, State, and local laws with our flagship software – CheckMark Payroll Software. The latest 2024 version includes the latest IRS-approved tax forms and state and federal tax tables. You can run payroll, pay employees, and file taxes in just a few minutes.

To help you know the minimum wage for your state for 2024, the following table includes current state and federal minimum wage rates, exceptions, and scheduled increases, if any:

State Minimum Wage Rates - 2024

State Minimum Wage Rates - 2023

State Minimum Wage Rates - 2022

State Minimum Wage Rates - 2021

State Minimum Wage Rates - 2020

State Minimum Wage Rates - 2019

Interesting Facts

What states raised the minimum wage in 2024?

According to DOL, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Washington, states increased their minimum wage requirements in 2024.

What states have the lowest minimum wage?

According to the data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Georgia and Wyoming have the lowest state minimum wage requirements i.e. $5.15 per hour if federal regulations do not apply; otherwise, it is $7.25.

What state has the highest minimum wage?

Washington has the highest state minimum wage at $16.28 per hour, for all employees. However, Washington, D.C. has the highest rate across the country: $17.00. Washington, California, and Connecticut will become the top three states with the highest minimum wage for all employees in 2024.

What states have automatic increases (indexing)?

Currently, minimum wages in 18 states (AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, ME, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, SD, and WA) are slated for annual changes based on various formulae. Around January 1st, most of these increases take place.

What states have no minimum wage?

Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have no minimum wage at all. However, the workers receive some protection and they are entitled to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 or $2.13 for tipped workers.

What are the best cities for minimum-wage workers?

According to move.org, the following are the best cities for minimum-wage workers:

  1. Cleveland, Ohio – $9.30
  2. Bakersfield, California – $15.00
  3. Detroit, Michigan – $9.87
  4. Fresno, California – $15.00
  5. Tucson, Arizona – $12.80
  6. St. Paul, Minnesota – $12.50
  7. St. Louis, Missouri – $11.15
  8. Minneapolis, Minnesota – $14.25
  9. Cincinnati, Ohio – $9.30
  10. Stockton, California – $15.00

What localities have adopted minimum wages above their state minimum wage?

According to EPI, Alameda (CA), Belmont (CA), Berkeley (CA), Birmingham (AL), Chicago (IL), Cook County (IL), Cupertino (CA), Denver(CD), East Palo Alto(CA), El Cerrito(CA), Emeryville(CA), Flagstaff(AZ), Fremont(CA), Hayward(CA), Los Altos(CA), Los Angeles County(CA), Los Angeles(CA), Malibu (CA), Milpitas (CA), Minneapolis (MN), Montgomery County (MD), Mountain View (CA), Nassau Suffolk and Westchester Counties (NY), New York City (NY), Novato (CA), Oakland (CA), Palo Alto (CA), Pasadena (CA), Petaluma(CA), Portland Urban Growth Boundary (OR), Portland (ME), Redwood City (CA), Richmond (CA), San Francisco (CA), San Jose (CA), San Mateo (CA), Santa Clara (CA), Santa Fe City (NM), Santa Fe County (NM), Santa Monica (CA), Santa Rosa (CA), SeaTac (WA), Seattle (WA), Sonoma (CA), St. Paul (MN), and Sunnyvale (CA) have adopted minimum wages above their state minimum wage.

What companies have raised their minimum wage to at least $15 an hour?

According to GBR , Aetna, Amazon, Bank of America, Ben & Jerry’s, Best Buy, Charter Communications, Cigna, Costco, Disney World, Facebook, Fifth Third Bank, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Santander Bank, Starbucks, Target, Wayfair, and Wells Fargo, have raised their minimum wage to at least $15 or more per hour.