Is $15 an hour a livable wage in Florida?

No, $15 an hour is generally not considered a livable wage in Florida for most people, especially those with dependents, as it falls significantly below the actual living wage needed for basic expenses like housing, food, and childcare, though it might allow someone to scrape by with strict budgeting or roommates in some areas. While Florida's minimum wage is set to reach $15 by 2026, experts from groups like the Florida Policy Institute and MIT calculate a much higher need, around $23-$24/hour for a single adult and significantly more for families.

Is 15 dollars an hour good in Florida?

The average pay range for a 15 Dollars A Hour varies greatly (by as much as 12700), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience. Florida ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for 15 Dollars A Hour salaries.

What is a livable wage in Florida?

A livable wage in Florida varies significantly by household, but generally, a single adult needs around $23-$25/hour (about $48k/year), while a single parent with one child needs roughly $39/hour, and a family of four could need over $50/hour, far exceeding Florida's current $13/hour minimum wage (rising to $15 by 2026). These figures, often from MIT's Living Wage Calculator, cover basic needs like housing, food, and transportation, with larger families requiring much more. 

Is Florida's minimum wage $15 an hour?

FLORIDA MINIMUM WAGE WILL BE $13.00 AN HOUR STARTING SEPTEMBER 30TH Under a 2020 amendment to the Florida Constitution, the Florida minimum wage automatically increases by $1 each September 30th until it reaches $15 an hour in 2026. Starting September 30, 2024, the Florida minimum wage is increasing to $13 an hour.

What is considered a good hourly wage in Florida?

"While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $26.95 and as low as $6.83, the majority of Hourly Rate salaries currently range between $11.49 (25th percentile) to $18.12 (75th percentile) in Florida," ZipRecruiter said. "Florida ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for hourly rate salaries, the site said.

What it would take to raise Florida's minimum wage to $15 an hour

What is a middle class salary in Florida?

In Florida, the middle-class income range (roughly 2/3 to double the median) varies by family size, with a 4-person family typically needing about $68,000 to over $200,000, though figures shift with data sources and inflation, with some studies showing ranges like $51,690–$155,070 for a 2-person household, and specific cities having different local needs.
 

Does McDonald's pay $15 an hour in Florida?

Yes, many McDonald's locations in Florida pay around or above $15 an hour for crew members, with some recent job postings showing starting wages from $14.25 to over $16 per hour, though it varies by location and franchise, as most are independently owned. While some listings show lower ranges like $11.25-$14.75, you can find $15/hour jobs, especially with experience or in specific areas like West Palm Beach, where averages can hit $15+ for crew, but corporate pay scales were set to $11-$17 for crew in 2021. 

Is Florida's minimum wage enough to live on?

Despite the minimum wage rising this past year to $14, that amount is not enough to get by according to the Florida Policy Institute. Instead, they say the average wage needs to be closer to $18 for a single adult and for anyone with a child, that amount increases to over $27 for a single parent.

Why is $15 minimum wage good?

A $15 minimum wage would begin to reverse decades of growing pay inequality between the lowest-paid workers and the middle class. For example, failure to adequately increase the minimum wage accounts for 48 percent of the increase in inequality between women at the middle and bottom of the wage distribution since 1979.

What is a living wage?

A living wage is simply the minimum hourly amount that a full-time worker must earn to afford basic necessities. In this case, a full-time worker is defined as someone who works at least 2,080 hours a year.

What salary do I need to live in Florida?

To live comfortably in Florida, a single adult might need around $97,000-$109,000 annually, while a family of four could need over $200,000, but basic living expenses (MIT's "living wage") for a single person are lower, around $51,500, varying greatly by location and lifestyle. A basic living wage is around $23.41/hour for a childless single adult, but costs differ significantly in cities like Miami vs. smaller towns, with higher needs for families. 

What is the cost of living in Florida per hour?

As of Dec 25, 2025, the average annual pay for a Cost Of Living in Florida is $79,965 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $38.44 an hour.

What is Florida's 2025 minimum wage?

As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, Florida's minimum wage is $14.00 per hour, effective from September 30, 2025, as part of a voter-approved plan to reach $15.00 by September 2026. This increase happened at the end of 2025, setting the wage for the remainder of that year and the first part of 2026 before the final scheduled jump. 

What jobs are in high demand in Florida?

Florida has high demand across Healthcare (Nurses, PAs, Therapists, Anesthetists), skilled Trades (Electricians, HVAC Techs, Truck Drivers, Crane Operators, Elevator Techs), Tech (Software, Info Security), and Professional Services (Lawyers, Real Estate Agents, Financial Advisors), driven by population growth, tourism, and an aging demographic, with many roles paying well even without a degree.
 

Why is Florida's minimum wage so high?

Additionally, Reyes Peña said there are some states that pay the federal minimum, which is $7.25 per hour. Florida's higher figure by comparison, he says, helps residents offset the cost of essentials like housing.

Can a single person live on $15 an hour?

If the federal minimum wage were raised to $15/hour, it would be possible in 68 of America's largest cities for a single person making minimum wage to have at least $480 left over every month (20% of their salary) after paying expenses.

Would $15 minimum wage cause inflation?

Some studies indicate that increasing the minimum wage could generate additional inflation, especially during an economic boom, but the increase in inflation is very small. Other research finds no impact of minimum wage increases on the inflation rate.

Is $15 an hour a livable wage?

However, due to inflation and rising costs of living, $15/hour is no longer a livable wage in any part of the nation.

What is a living wage in FL?

A living wage in Florida varies significantly by family size, with a single adult needing around $23.41/hour (approx. $48,683/year) for basics, while a single adult with one child needs about $38.72/hour ($77,515/year), according to MIT's Living Wage Calculator data from 2025. This is much higher than Florida's minimum wage, which is set to reach $15/hour in 2026, highlighting a large gap between minimum and actual living costs for necessities like housing, food, and childcare. 

Can I retire in Florida on $3,000 a month?

Yes, you can retire in Florida on $3,000 a month, but it requires careful planning, choosing an affordable location (like inland or panhandle towns over coastal hotspots), managing housing costs (renting or low mortgage), and controlling other expenses, as popular areas and rising insurance/hurricane costs can strain this budget. It's doable with smart budgeting, but less feasible if you need luxury or want to live in high-demand cities, requiring tradeoffs in lifestyle and location. 

What is the lowest paying state?

The lowest paying states, based on minimum wage, are those that follow the federal rate of $7.25/hour, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, with Georgia and Wyoming having even lower state rates ($5.15) that default to the federal wage for most employers; however, in terms of overall income, Mississippi consistently ranks as having the lowest median household income. 

What is Publix starting pay in Florida?

Publix starting pay in Florida varies by position, but general entry-level roles like Cashier or Grocery Associate often start in the $12 to $16+ per hour range, with some sources showing Baggers at the lower end (around $12) and more skilled roles or shifts commanding higher rates, though exact figures depend on location and current openings. For instance, Cashier pay might start around $12.90/hour, while Deli or Produce roles could be slightly higher, with averages often in the mid-$15s to mid-$16s for general associates. 

What is Chick-fil-A starting pay in Florida?

Chick-fil-A starting pay in Florida varies by location and role, but generally falls around $13-$16+ per hour for team members, with some listings showing higher for full-time or leadership, while corporate roles can be higher; it's best to check specific restaurant listings for exact rates, as it depends on the franchisee and local demand. 

What does Wendy's pay in Florida?

Wendy's pay in Florida varies significantly by role, with crew members often starting around $11.45 - $15 per hour, while shift managers earn closer to $15-$17/hour, and general managers can make $55,000 - $62,000+ annually, depending on location, experience, and if it's a franchised or company-owned store. Benefits like health insurance, 401k, and meal discounts are available for full-time employees at some locations.