Minimum Wage Rates by State and Municipality

Author: Brightmine Editorial Team

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Many states and municipalities have minimum wage requirements. An employer must pay the highest rate that applies. For example, if an employer is subject to a local ordinance that sets a minimum wage rate higher than the state and/or federal minimum wage rate, it must pay nonexempt employees the higher local wage. Conversely, if an employer operates in a state that does not have a minimum wage law or that has a minimum wage lower than the federal minimum wage, it must pay nonexempt employees the federal minimum wage of $7.25 if it is covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

To help ensure that the minimum wage keeps pace with the rising cost of living, many states and municipalities adjust (or will adjust) their minimum wage rates annually. Others adjust their minimum wage rates periodically through legislation or ballot initiatives.

This chart sets forth the state minimum wage rates for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. It also covers selected local minimum wage ordinances that apply to most or all employees who work within a particular jurisdiction, in contrast to ordinances that apply only to specific types of employers (such as those in Long Beach, California, and SeaTac, Washington) and to prevailing wage or living wage ordinances that apply only to employees of local governments and the contractors they hire.