What is America's lowest salary?

America's lowest salary is generally the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities have higher rates, with some states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee defaulting to the federal rate while others (like Georgia, Wyoming) have wages below $7.25, meaning $7.25 is the universal floor for covered workers.

What is the lowest salary in America?

The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour.

Which state has a $15 minimum wage?

As of early 2026, many states have minimum wages at or above $15, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and D.C., with rates often increasing annually, like California's $16.90 and Washington's $17.13 in 2026, though some like New Jersey and New York have tiered rates or higher for specific areas. 

Where in the US is the minimum wage $20?

Certain areas of California and Washington offer a minimum wage of over $20 an hour. Minimum wages increased on July 1, 2025 across several U.S. states and cities. These increases vary by location and industry, with higher wages often limited to specific sectors like hospitality or healthcare.

Does Chick-fil-A pay $20 an hour?

Yes, many Chick-fil-A locations, especially in high-cost areas like California, pay around $20 an hour or more for team members, often starting at that rate due to local minimum wage laws and company standards, with some roles even exceeding that. While national averages vary, local data shows front-of-house and kitchen roles frequently hitting or surpassing the $20 mark, with shift leaders earning even more, though actual pay depends on location, experience, and specific store. 

These are America's lowest paying jobs

Is McDonald's paying $20 an hour in California?

Yes, McDonald's workers in California generally earn at least $20 an hour due to a state law (AB 1228) that set a $20 minimum wage for large fast-food chains, effective April 1, 2024, though some locations might pay slightly more, with listings showing $20-$21.75/hour, but it's not a universal guarantee for all California workers if their specific location has exemptions like baking bread on-site. 

Is Walmart going to $18 an hour?

Starting in early March, store employees will make between $14 and $19 an hour. They currently earn between $12 and $18 an hour, according to Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield.

What is the highest paying hourly job at Walmart?

The retail giant confirmed to USA Today that, besides managers, cake decorators are the highest-paid hourly positions in U.S. Walmart stores. The average pay for a cake decorator at Walmart starts at around $19.25 an hour, according to the outlet. Related: Walmart Is Raising Prices, According to the Company's CEO.

Why did Walmart lower starting pay?

Walmart said the change in pay structure allows employees to move between work groups such as food, registers, stocking or digital fulfillment without pay impacts, according to documents given to some store workers. “This will allow for better staffing throughout the store,” said one of the documents.

Who has the highest minimum wage?

There isn't one single highest minimum wage, as it varies by location and industry, but Washington D.C. often leads the nation (around $17.95/hr), with Washington State, California, and cities like West Hollywood also having very high rates (over $17/hr), while specific sectors like California's fast-food workers can earn $20/hr, and some cities/states have even higher wages for healthcare workers. 

What is the Texas minimum wage?

Texas follows the federal minimum wage, so its minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009, as Texas has not passed its own law to increase it above the federal standard, unlike many other states. 

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.

Is $35000 a year considered poor?

Yes, $35,000 a year is often considered poor or low-income, especially for a single person in high-cost areas, as it's near or below the Federal Poverty Level for some family sizes and puts you in the lower middle class or working poor, but it depends heavily on location, household size, and program definitions, with federal guidelines for an individual being around $15k and a family of four around $32k in 2025. 

Which jobs pay $50 an hour in the USA?

Roles offering $50 an hour are often found in highly skilled professions, such as nursing, software engineering, skilled trades, consulting, or technical project management.

Who still pays $7.25 an hour?

State Minimum Wages Summary

Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour. In all eight of these states, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour generally applies.

Can Walmart store managers make $500,000 a year?

Walmart Store Managers Can Now Earn More Than $500,000. In January 2024, Walmart redesigned its store manager compensation package, to allow some store managers running high volume stores to earn more than $500,000.

What is the #1 highest paid position?

Medical professionals — including anesthesiologists, surgeons, OBGYNs, and psychiatrists — hold the highest paying jobs in America, bringing in $239,200 or more a year on average.

Does Walmart offer $110,000 salary to new drivers?

After they complete the 12-week training course and earn their CDLs, they have a coveted Walmart driving job ready to step into. Walmart drivers can make up to $110,000 in their first year with the company, in addition to the suite of benefits the company offers.

How long is a normal shift at Walmart?

Full-time associates will be given two shift options: Morning Shift: 4 am – 12:30 pm. Evening Shift: 3 pm – 11:30 pm.

How much does a Cashier make at Walmart in NC?

Walmart pay FAQs

The average salary for a Cashier is US$37,532 per year (estimate) in North Carolina, which is 7% higher than the average Walmart salary of US$34,915 per year (estimate) for this job.

Does Walmart pay for college?

Key Takeaways. Walmart Pays 100% of College Tuition and Books: Through the Live Better U program, Walmart covers full tuition and book costs for both part-time and full-time associates from their first day on the job.

Is pizza considered fast food?

The filling often includes fish, seafood, chicken or cucumber. Pizza is a common fast food category in the United States, with nationwide chains including Papa John's, Domino's Pizza, Sbarro and Pizza Hut. It trails only the burger industry in supplying children's fast food calories.

What does Chick-fil-A pay in California?

Chick Fill A Salary in California. $36.7K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. The median wage is $45.7K / yr.

Will Starbucks pay $20 an hour in California?

Locations that serve mostly drinks are also subject to this law so long as they meet the aforementioned criteria, meaning Starbucks locations in California are also required to pay a minimum wage of $20.