Which State Has the Highest (and Lowest) Minimum Wage?

President Joe Biden and most Democrats have been calling for a drastic increase in the federal minimum wage, to $15 from $7.25. While a handful of states and many prominent companies have taken matters into their own hands, raising their minimum wages well into the double digits, other states are tied to the federal minimum wage, which hasn’t changed since 2009. Where does your state fit in, and are there any changes on the horizon? We examined data from the Economic Policy Institute to find out.

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Alabama is one of a handful of Southern states that doesn’t have a minimum wage. Instead, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies as long as the employer is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13.

Looking ahead: Because the federal minimum wage hasn’t changed since 2009, Alabama’s minimum wage hasn’t, either. The Birmingham City Council tried to pass a local minimum wage of $10.10 per hour in 2016, but the move was stymied by state lawmakers and, eventually, a federal appeals court. 

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There is no official state minimum wage in Louisiana, so the federal minimum wage of $7.25 is the default standard. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Louisiana’s minimum wage has been unchanged since the last federal minimum-wage hike in 2009. While Gov. John Bel Edwards has said he supports an increase, state lawmakers voted against a statewide hike in 2018. 

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Like its neighbors to the east and west, Mississippi lacks a state minimum wage, so most employers are subject to the $7.25 federal minimum wage. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Mississippi workers last saw a minimum-wage bump in 2009, when the federal minimum rose to $7.25. State lawmakers’ recent efforts to raise the minimum wage, including a bill to pay workers at least $10 an hour beginning in 2024, have made little headway. 

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South Carolina’s lack of a state minimum wage means the $7.25 federal minimum wage applies in most cases. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: The Palmetto State’s minimum wage hasn’t gone up since the federal minimum wage hit $7.25 in 2009. Though some representatives have introduced bills to implement a higher wage, none have made it into law. 

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It’s the same story in Tennessee: In lieu of a state minimum wage, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies in most cases. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Again, the minimum wage in Tennessee hasn’t budged since 2009, when the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 took effect. A recent effort to boost the state’s minimum wage to $12 by 2025 didn’t make it out of committee. 

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Georgia’s minimum wage is officially $5.15 an hour, but most employers are required to pay at least $7.25 under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Georgia’s minimum wage has flatlined at $5.15 since 2001, though it was effectively raised in 2009, when the federal minimum wage reached $7.25. An ambitious effort to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 stalled last year.

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Wyoming is the only state other than Georgia with a minimum wage lower than the federal minimum wage. Still, as with Georgia, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies in most cases. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Wyoming’s minimum wage jumped from a meager $1.60 to $5.15 in 2001, a rate superseded by the last federal minimum wage increase in 2009. A recent effort to gradually bump up the minimum wage to $9.75 in 2024 stagnated in the state legislature. 

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Idaho kicks off a long line of states that have officially adopted the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make a base of $3.35 an hour, better than the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13.

Looking ahead: Idaho workers haven’t seen minimum-wage increase since 2009. Lawmakers recently introduced a bill to raise it all the way to $15 by 2023, but passage is unlikely.

Indiana’s minimum wage also mirrors the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Indiana’s minimum-wage workers haven’t seen an increase since 2009, when the federal minimum wage hit $7.25. Though some lawmakers have recently backed an increase to $10 by 2022 and $15 by 2027, similar efforts have failed in the past.

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Iowa also uses the federal minimum wage for most workers, but it is slightly more generous with tipped workers. They make $4.35, or 60% of the regular minimum wage.

Looking ahead: Iowa’s minimum wage was set at $7.25 in 2008, and has remained there ever since. A handful of counties tried to raise their minimum wages locally, but in 2017, the governor signed a bill preventing local officials from establishing a minimum wage higher than the state’s.

Kansas’ minimum wage mirrors the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Kansas’ minimum wage made a big leap to $7.25 in 2010 from $2.65, but hasn’t budged since then. Though some lawmakers pushed recently for an increase to $15 by 2021, the bill died in committee. A bill pushing a slower increase to $13 by 2024 also stalled.

Kentucky’s minimum wage mirrors the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Kentucky’s minimum wage last jumped in 2009, the same year the federal minimum wage hit $7.25. Efforts by Lexington and Louisville to raise the minimum wage locally were shot down in a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling in 2016. Lawmakers have pushed for a statewide raise and continue to do so, but the bills have fizzled out so far.

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While New Hampshire is hardly alone in matching the federal minimum wage, it is out of step with its neighbors, which all mandate double-digit minimum wages. The minimum wage for New Hampshire’s tipped workers is $3.26, 45% the regular minimum wage. 

Looking ahead: New Hampshire’s minimum wage hasn’t changed since 2009, when the federal minimum wage hit $7.25. In 2020, Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage to $12 by 2022, but lawmakers are spearheading another effort, this time to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2025.

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North Carolina’s minimum wage mirrors the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: North Carolina’s minimum-wage workers haven’t seen a pay increase since 2009, when the federal minimum wage hit $7.25. There have been several efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage, including one to bump it to $15 an hour this year, but none have made headway.

North Dakota matches the federal minimum wage, but like Iowa, it is slightly more generous with its tipped workers. They make $4.86, more than $2.50 over the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13, because their wage is set at 67% of the regular federal minimum wage.

Looking ahead: As in many other states, minimum wage hasn’t changed in North Dakota since the federal minimum wage hit $7.25 in 2009. Proponents of a statute that would require a $15 minimum wage were unable to get the issue on the November 2020 ballot. A recent bill also stalled.

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Oklahoma’s minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Oklahoma workers haven’t seen an increase in the minimum wage since 2009. Recent legislation aims to bump up that number to $10.50, but similar efforts have failed repeatedly.

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Pennsylvania’s minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage. That’s not the norm in the mid-Atlantic, where many states have double-digit minimum wages. Pennsylvania’s tipped workers make $2.83, a bit higher than the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Though Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been stagnant since 2009, an increase to $12 and eventually $15 has support in high places, including from Gov. Tom Wolf. That said, proposals advocating increases haven’t been successful in years past.

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Texas’ minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: There’s been no movement on Texas’ minimum wage since the federal minimum wage rose to $7.25 in 2009. A new bill calls for that rate to go up incrementally until it reaches $15 in 2025, but similar efforts have failed in recent years.

Utah’s minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Utah’s minimum-wage workers haven’t seen a pay bump since 2009. While there have been proposals to raise the minimum wage, including this one seeking an increase to $15 by 2026, none have succeeded.

Wisconsin’s minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make $2.33, slightly more than the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: There are no minimum-wage hikes on the horizon in Wisconsin, which hasn’t seen that number rise since 2009. Lawmakers recently introduced a bill to get rid of the lower wage for tipped workers, however.

Florida’s minimum wage increased a dime, to $8.56 from $8.46, at the beginning of 2021. Tipped workers saw their wages go up to $5.54 from $5.44. But bigger rises are on the horizon for both groups. 

Looking ahead: Minimum wage will rise to $10 at the end of September, $11 in September 2022, and $1 more every year until it hits $15 at the end of September 2026. For tipped workers, the minimum wage will rise to $6.98 this year, and then $1 more every year until it hits $11.98 at the end of September 2026. After that, yearly increases will be tied to inflation.

The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Montana. The beginning of 2021 brought a small 10-cent rise, to $8.75 from $8.65.

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation. While two bills have recently proposed a more dramatic increase in the state’s minimum wage, one has already failed and the other is unlikely to make much progress either.

While West Virginia’s minimum wage jumped to $8.75 from $8 at the end of 2015, but hasn’t changed since. Tipped workers make a bit over the federal minimum, $2.63, or 30% of the regular minimum wage.

Looking ahead: No increases to West Virginia’s minimum wage are planned, and the state Senate recently passed a bill that would prevent cities or counties from raising the minimum wage locally.

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The beginning of 2021 brought a small 10-cent raise, to $8.80 from $8.70, for Ohio’s minimum-wage workers. Tipped workers, whose wage is set at 50% of the regular minimum, saw a 5-cent increase to $4.40 from $4.35. 

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation. But some lawmakers say those are no longer adequate and are pushing for a more substantial increase, to $10 in 2022 and $15 in 2027.

While Nebraska’s minimum wage jumped from $8 to $9 in 2016, it hasn’t changed since then. Tipped workers make the federal minimum, $2.13.

Looking ahead: No increases to Nebraska’s minimum wage are planned, but lawmakers are pushing two measures to change that. One would gradually increase the minimum wage $1 a year until it reaches $20 in 2032, while another would raise the tipped minimum wage to $9.

The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Nevada. Both increased to $9 from $8.25 in the middle of 2020. Interestingly, employers who provide health insurance are allowed to pay $1 less than Nevada’s minimum wage.

Looking ahead: Workers will get four more yearly 75-cent raises starting this July and ending in July 2024, bringing Nevada’s minimum wage to $12.

While Delaware’s minimum-wage workers got a 50-cent raise in 2019, bumping the minimum wage to $9.25 from $8.75, the tipped wage has stagnated at $2.23 since the mid-1990s. 

Looking ahead: No increases to Delaware’s minimum wage are planned, but the Delaware Senate recently approved a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2025. It faces an uncertain future in the House.

South Dakota’s minimum wage rose to $9.45 from $9.30 at the beginning of 2021, while its tipped wage, set at 50% of regular minimum wage, rose to $4.73 from $4.65.

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation.

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Virginia’s minimum wage had been languishing at $7.25 for a decade, but in May 2021, the number rose to $9.50. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: January 2022 and 2023 will bring two more minimum-wage increases, to $11 and $12, respectively. Two further planned increases, to $13.50 in 2025 and $15 in 2026, must be reauthorized by lawmakers before they take effect. After that, yearly increases are tied to inflation.

Workers in Michigan saw a modest minimum-wage increase in 2021, to $9.87 from $9.65. Tipped workers, who make 38% of the regular minimum wage by law, saw their wage rise to $3.75 from $3.67. 

Looking ahead: Michigan’s minimum wage will rise incrementally to $12.05 in 2030 ($4.58 for tipped workers) — a much slower rate of increase than an original plan to raise it to $12 by 2022.

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The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Minnesota. Both edged up a modest 8 cents in 2021, to $10.08 from $10. Workers in the Twin Cities, however, make a higher wage: $13.25 in Minneapolis, and $12.50 in St. Paul. 

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation and are capped at 2.5%. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, the minimum wage will rise to $15 in 2022, and future increases will be based on inflation.

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The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Hawaii. Both increased to $10.10 in 2018 from $9.25.

Looking ahead: There are no further scheduled minimum wage increases in Hawaii, though lawmakers have tried to change that. There was a recent bill to increase the minimum wage to $12 starting in 2022, but it has been shelved because of budget pressures.

Missouri’s private-employer minimum wage increased to $10.30 from $9.45 at the beginning of 2021, while its tipped wage rose to $5.15 from $4.73. Tipped wages are set at 50% of the regular minimum wage. 

Looking ahead: Workers will get two more 85-cent raises over the next two years, bringing the minimum wage to $12 ($6 for tipped workers) in 2023. After that, increases will be based on inflation. By law, Missouri’s minimum wage cannot be less than federal minimum wage.

The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Alaska, and rose to $10.34 in 2021 from $10.19. 

Looking forward: Yearly increases are tied to inflation. It’s worth noting that state law requires Alaska’s minimum wage to be at least $1 more than federal minimum wage.

New Mexico’s minimum wage made a big leap forward in 2021, to $10.50 from $9. Its tipped wage rose a comparatively modest 20 cents, to $2.55 from $2.35. Workers in Santa Fe get a minimum of $12.10 an hour, and a handful of localities also have different tipped wages.

Looking forward: New Mexicans can look forward to two more scheduled minimum-wage hikes: to $11.50 in 2022, and $12 in 2023. The tipped wage will rise to $2.80, then $3, respectively.

Arkansas is a rare bird in the South: A state that not only doesn’t pay federal minimum wage, but one that has raised its minimum wage into the double digits. In fact, Arkansas raised its minimum wage to $11 at the beginning of 2021 from $10. But tipped workers’ minimum wage is set at $2.63 — just 50 cents better than the federal minimum. 

Looking ahead: There are no more scheduled increases for Arkansas’ minimum wage.

Illinois raised its minimum wage to $11 at the beginning of 2021 from $10, while tipped workers saw a bump to $6.60 from $6. In Chicago, there’s a separate minimum wage of $14 ($8.40 for tipped workers), while in the rest of Cook County, it’s $13 ($5.30 for tipped workers). 

Looking ahead: The state’s minimum wage is set to jump $1 every year until 2025, when it reaches $15. The tipped wage will rise 60 cents each year, reaching $9 in 2025.

Rhode Island’s minimum wage rose $1, to $11.50 from $10.50, in 2020. Tipped workers make $3.89, but haven’t gotten an increase since 2016.

Looking ahead: Future increases to Rhode Island’s minimum wage are still being debated. The Rhode Island Senate recently approved incremental raises up to $15 over the next four years, but it remains to be seen whether the bill will make it into law.

The beginning of 2021 brought a 75-cent rise, to $11.75 from $11, in Maryland’s minimum wage. Tipped workers, who make $3.63, have not seen any recent increases. A separate minimum wage applies in Montgomery County, where workers make at least $14 ($4 tipped). 

Looking ahead: Four more minimum wage increases are slated for coming years: $12.50 in 2022, $13.25 in 2023, $14 in 2024, and $15 in 2025. Smaller employers are on a separate schedule that will reach $15 in 2026.

Vermont’s minimum wage rose to $11.75 from $10.96 at the beginning of 2021. Tipped workers’ wages are set at 50% of the regular minimum and saw the number rise to $5.88 from $5.48 this year. 

Looking ahead: The minimum wage will rise again in 2022, to $12.55; the tipped wage will go up to $6.28. After that, yearly increases will be tied to inflation.

In September, Connecticut raised its minimum wage to $12 from $11. Tipped workers make $6.38, but haven’t seen an increase since 2018.

Looking ahead: Connecticut’s workers will see another $1 increase in August and then in July 2022 and June 2023, when the minimum wage reaches $15. After that, increases will be tied to inflation.

New Jersey’s minimum wage rose $1, to $12 from $11, at the beginning of 2021, while the tipped wage rose to $4.13 from $3.13. 

Looking ahead: The minimum wage is set to rise another dollar at the beginning of every year until 2024, when it will reach $15. Tipped minimum wage will rise to $5.13 in 2022. After that, increases will be tied to inflation.

Oregon’s minimum wage rose from to $12 in the middle of 2020 $11.25. Tipped workers make the same wage in Oregon, and got the same increase. But where you live also comes into play: Portland-area workers get a higher minimum wage, which rose to $13.25 from $12.50, while workers in rural counties make slightly less and saw a bump to $11.50 from $11.

Looking ahead: The minimum wage will rise to $12.75 in mid-2021 and $13.50 in mid-2022. For Portland workers, wages will hit $14.50 in mid-2021 and $14.75 in 2022; for rural workers, wages will jump to $12, then $12.50. After that, increases will be tied to inflation.

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Arizona’s minimum wage rose to $12.15 in 2021 from $12. Tipped workers, whose wages are set at $3 less than the regular minimum wage, saw their pay increase to $9.15 from $9. Workers in Flagstaff, who have a separate minimum wage, saw that rate rise to $15 from $13. 

Looking ahead: Future adjustments will be based on inflation. The minimum wage in Flagstaff will rise to $15.50 in 2022, after which increases will also be based on inflation.

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Like Arizona, Maine’s minimum wage rose 15 cents at the beginning of 2021, going to $12.15 from $12. Tipped workers, whose wage is set at half the regular minimum wage, got an 8-cent bump to $6.08 from $6. 

Looking ahead: Future adjustments will be based on inflation, but workers in Portland will see their wages rise more quickly. They’re slated to get $13 starting in 2022, $14 in 2023, and $15 in 2024, after which adjustments are tied to inflation.

Colorado’s minimum wage rose to $12.32 from $12 this year, while its tipped workers saw their wages increase to $9.30 from $8.98. Workers in Denver get a higher minimum wage, $14.77, while tipped workers there make at least $11.75.

Looking ahead: Future bumps for Colorado’s minimum wage are pegged to inflation. Denver workers will see their wages rise to $15.87 in 2022, with increases tied to inflation set to begin in 2023.

Many of New York’s minimum-wage workers rang in 2021 by watching their pay rise to $12.50 from $11.80, while tipped workers saw their wages rise to $8.35 from $7.85. There are some important exceptions: Fast-food workers make at least $14.50, while in New York City, the minimum wage is $15 for all workers. In Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, it’s $14.

Looking ahead: Annual increases will continue based on inflation until the minimum wage reaches $15 across the state. Fast-food workers as well as those in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties will reach $15 by the end of 2021.

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Massachusetts boosted its minimum wage to $13.50 from $12.75 at the beginning of 2021. Tipped workers got a pay bump to $5.55 from $4.95.

Looking ahead: In 2022, Massachusetts’ minimum wage will jump to $14.25; in 2023, it will hit $15. Tipped workers will make $6.15 and $6.75, respectively. State law requires the state’s minimum wage to be at least 50 cents more than the federal minimum wage.

Minimum-wage workers in Washington got their last boost at the beginning of the year, when the minimum wage was raised 19 cents to $13.69 from $13.50. Tipped workers got the same bump and also make at least $13.69 an hour. Higher minimum wages apply in Seattle, where workers make from $15.75 to $16.69, and SeaTac, where the minimum wage is $16.57. 

Looking ahead: Annual increases will continue based on inflation. Washington was the first state to adjust its minimum wage based on cost-of-living indexes, and has been doing so for two decades.

California raised its minimum wage to $14 in 2021 from $13, the result of a law mandating incremental raises beginning in 2017. Tipped workers also make $14. Companies with 25 or fewer employees may still pay $13 an hour, but many cities have mandated higher minimum wages, including San Francisco ($16.07) and Los Angeles ($15).

Looking ahead: The state isn’t quite done increasing wages. Most minimum-wage workers will get $15 starting in 2022, though smaller employers have more time to comply. After that, minimum wage will be adjusted annually for inflation, but cannot be lowered.

It may not be a “state” as such, but workers in Washington, D.C., already get a minimum of $15 an hour, even as lawmakers plead their case for the same rate nationally on Capitol Hill. Tipped workers get a tipped wage of $5 an hour. 

Looking ahead: Future increases to the district’s minimum wage will continue based on inflation; a small bump to $15.20 has been set for July. In the event that the federal minimum wage reaches $15 or more, lawmakers have pledged to raise D.C.’s minimum wage to $1 more than the federal wage.