What state has $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 states pay $15 an hour minimum wage?

Minimum Wage Rises in 19 States

• Arizona increasing from $14.70 to $15.15.
• California increasing from $16.50 to $16.90.
• Colorado increasing from $14.81 statewide to $15.16.
• Connecticut increasing from $16.35 to $16.94.
• Hawai'i increasing from $14 to $16.
• Maine increasing from $14.65 to $15.10.

What 5 states have no state 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.

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.

Which US state has the highest minimum wage per hour?

As of early 2026, Washington, D.C. has the highest minimum wage at $17.95/hour, followed closely by Washington state ($17.13) and parts of New York (NYC, Long Island, Westchester at $17.00). California's statewide wage is $16.90, but some cities and specific sectors (like fast food) pay more, with cities like Tukwila reaching over $21/hour, making the overall highest local minimum wage found in Washington. 

What states have a $15 an hour minimum wage?

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 to pay $20 an hour in California?

Under laws Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in 2023, fast food workers earn a minimum wage wage of $20 an hour and health care workers are on track to make $25 an hour. That momentum extended to Los Angeles hotel and airport employees.

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. 

What is California's minimum wage?

California's statewide minimum wage increased to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026, for all employers, with higher rates applicable in many cities and for specific industries like fast-food and healthcare workers, so always check local ordinances for the precise rate in a given area. 

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.
 

What states have the cheapest minimum wage?

The states with the lowest minimum wages effectively follow the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25/hour, as they either set their own rate below that or have no state law, defaulting to the federal standard for most workers; this includes states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, plus Georgia, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin, which have rates at or below $7.25 for most workers. 

How many Americans earn less than $15 an hour?

​ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. End of interactive chart. About 30.2 million jobs paid less than $15 per hour in May 2022, representing 20.4 percent of total national employment.

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 lowest paid position at Walmart?

Hourly pay at Walmart.com ranges from an average of $12.62 to $22.96 an hour. Walmart.com employees with the job title Maintenance Technician make the most with an average hourly rate of $23.78, while employees with the title Cashier make the least with an average hourly rate of $13.65.

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 starting pay at Walmart in Texas?

Walmart's starting pay in Texas varies by role, but generally starts around $14-$19 per hour for many front-line jobs like Team Associates, with roles like Stockers and Cashiers often falling in that range, though specialized or higher-demand roles (like certain warehouse or tech jobs) can earn more, with some hourly wages reaching into the $20s or higher depending on location and skill. 

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. 

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.

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.

Does Burger King pay $20 an hour in California?

Average Burger King Crew Member hourly pay in California is approximately $20.87, which is 45% above the national average.

Is $27 an hour good pay in California?

$27 an hour (about $56,160/year) in California is a decent, livable wage for a single person in many areas, hovering near the calculated living wage, but it's tight in high-cost cities like San Francisco or LA, requiring budgeting, while being more comfortable in less expensive regions or for those with roommates. It's above the state's minimum wage, but expenses like rent can quickly consume a large portion, making it feel less "good" in expensive areas. 

Why is California's minimum wage so high?

California's minimum wage is high primarily due to state laws mandating annual increases tied to inflation (Consumer Price Index) to help wages keep pace with the state's notoriously high cost of living, especially housing, and local jurisdictions setting even higher rates; while intended to improve living standards, it reflects the challenge for low-wage workers to afford necessities in expensive areas, despite efforts to boost pay for specific sectors like fast food and healthcare.