What is the minimum wage in all 50 states?

Minimum wages vary significantly by state, with many states exceeding the $7.25 federal minimum; as of early 2026, states like California ($16.90), Connecticut ($16.94), and Washington ($17.13) have some of the highest rates, while some states align with the federal $7.25 rate, and certain cities and counties have even higher local mandates.

What 5 states have no minimum wage?

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.

What states pay $15 an hour 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. 

What is the minimum wage in every state?

Minimum wages vary significantly by state, with many states (like California, Connecticut, D.C., Washington) exceeding the $7.25 federal minimum, while others (like Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi) stick to the federal rate, and some rates adjust automatically or at different times of the year, so you'll find high rates in the $16-$17+ range and some at the $7.25 federal level as of early 2026. 

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.

What Is Minimum Wage In All 50 States? - CountyOffice.org

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. 

Which state is the lowest paid?

The "lowest paying state" depends on the metric, but Mississippi often appears as the lowest for overall wages/income, while Georgia, Wyoming, and Oklahoma have the lowest listed minimum wages (though the $7.25 federal minimum usually applies), and Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee have no state minimum wage above federal, meaning they rely on the $7.25 federal rate.
 

Who has the highest minimum wage in the US?

As of early 2026, Washington, D.C. has the highest overall minimum wage at $17.95/hour, but Washington State has the highest statewide rate at $17.13/hour; however, specific cities like Tukwila, WA, and Seattle, WA, have even higher local mandates, with Tukwila at $21.65/hour and Seattle at $21.30/hour for large employers, making them the highest in the U.S. 

Is $20 the new minimum wage?

On April 1, 2024, California implemented a $20 hourly wage floor for workers in large chains in fast-food restaurants and snack and non-alcoholic beverage bars. The new standard, which corresponds to 69 percent of the state's median full-time wage, surpasses all prior benchmarks in minimum wage policies and research.

Which state has the best hourly wage?

While Washington D.C. often leads in average hourly pay when included, Washington State generally has the highest average hourly earnings among the 50 U.S. states, with Massachusetts and California also consistently near the top, though the exact ranking shifts slightly based on the specific data source and recent wage adjustments for 2026. 

What is the 2026 minimum wage?

The National Daily Minimum Wage will also rise by 9%, moving from GH₵19.97 to GH₵21.77, effective January 1, 2026.

What is the minimum wage in Florida?

As of early 2026, Florida's minimum wage is $14.00 per hour, but it is set to increase to $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026, as part of a gradual increase mandated by a 2020 constitutional amendment that will continue until it reaches $15.00 in 2026, then resume indexed annual increases after 2028. 

What state has the highest minimum wage 2025?

In 2025, Washington D.C. leads with $17.95/hour, followed closely by Washington State ($16.66, rising to $17.13 in 2026) and California ($16.50), with New York also high ($16.50 in NYC/LI/Westchester, $15.50 elsewhere) and Connecticut at $16.35, with many jurisdictions seeing inflation-adjusted increases.
 

Is minimum wage enough to live on?

No, the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) is not enough to live on in the U.S. in 2025, as it falls below the poverty line and workers often need to work over 80 hours weekly just to afford housing, with even higher state minimums often insufficient in high-cost areas like California due to expensive living costs, making a true living wage closer to $20-$26+ depending on location and family needs. 

What is the Texas minimum wage?

Texas follows the federal minimum wage, so its minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same rate it's been since 2009, as the state hasn't passed its own higher minimum wage law. This means that for most covered employees, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 is the effective rate in Texas.
 

Why is Target paying $24 an hour?

It's just a good business decision to keep on raising hourly wages for workers as it will help retain the top talent that is driving strong sales and profits, explains Target CFO Michael Fiddelke.

What is the lowest wage in the US?

The lowest standard minimum wage in the U.S. is the federal rate of $7.25 per hour, which applies in states that have no state minimum wage law or set theirs at the federal level, including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and others. Some specific categories, like tipped workers ($2.13/hr cash wage) or trainees, can be paid less, but the employer must ensure earnings meet at least $7.25/hr.
 

What states' minimum wage is going up in 2026?

New York, California, Maine, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio are among states boosting the lowest someone can be paid for an hourly wage. The biggest increase is in Hawaii, which is raising its minimum wage by $2 an hour. Florida, Alaska and Oregon will also raise their pay requirements later in 2026.

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

Average Chick-fil-A Restaurants hourly pay ranges from approximately $20.21 per hour for Kitchen Team Member to $28.46 per hour for Kitchen Manager. Salary estimated from 11 past and present job postings on Indeed.

Is $40,000 a year considered poor?

A $40,000 salary is classified as lower-middle class, which is defined as households that earn between $30,001 and $58,020 a year.

Which is the poorest state in the USA?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the poorest state in the U.S., often leading with the lowest median household income and highest poverty rates, followed closely by states like Louisiana, West Virginia, and Arkansas, which also struggle with high poverty levels, low wages, and limited economic opportunities, according to data from sources like World Population Review and Stacker. 

What job is best for a 14-year-old?

The jobs that you are allowed to work at include the following:

• Most retail occupations, including cashiering, selling, price marking, packing and shelving;
• Intellectual or creative work such as computer programming, teaching, tutoring, singing, acting, or playing an instrument;

How much does Chick-fil-A pay 14 year olds?

We employ a very limited number of 14 & 15 year olds. Students seeking employment must have a work permit and be available to work a minimum of 9 hours per week. Part Time: Starting wage is $12 an hour.

Can you work at 14 in CA?

Yes, 14-year-olds can work in California, but they need a work permit, must follow strict hour limits (especially on school days), and can only do specific, non-hazardous jobs, primarily in retail, food service, or family businesses, with common roles like cashier, food prep, or babysitting. You get the permit from your high school counselor, and it ensures compliance with California's protective labor laws for young workers.