What states have the lowest wage?

The lowest paying states generally include Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, which consistently rank low for median earnings and average salaries, often due to a combination of lower wages and lower costs of living, with Mississippi often cited as having the lowest average income and earnings. States like Georgia, Wyoming, and others also have very low minimum wages (often just the federal $7.25/hr) if they don't set a higher state rate.

Which US state has the lowest salary?

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 are the 10 states with the lowest minimum wage?

These states have the lowest minimum wage rates in the U.S.:

• Iowa: $7.25.
• Kansas: $7.25.
• Kentucky: $7.25.
• New Hampshire: $7.25.
• North Dakota: $7.25.
• Pennsylvania: $7.25.
• Utah: $7.25.
• Wisconsin: $7.25.

What 19 states are increasing the minimum wage?

The full list of states set to see a wage increase on Jan. 1 include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, and Washington state.

Is it true Walmart is paying $15 an hour?

Yes, Walmart pays at least $14 an hour, with starting pay often reaching $15 or more, depending on the role and location, and their average hourly wage for store employees is over $17.50 as of early 2023. While some entry-level positions might start around $14, many roles, especially in distribution centers or for more experienced workers, pay well above $15/hour, with some associates earning over $20/hour or more, according to recent data. 

U.S. Minimum Wage by State – 2025. Global Ranking

Is Walmart going to $18 an hour?

Yes, Walmart's average hourly wage is currently around $18+ an hour, with recent reports showing it as high as $18.25 in 2025, as they've steadily increased pay, but they don't have a single $18 minimum; pay varies by role, location, and performance, with some roles now starting higher, notes WSJ, Supermarket News, and NewsNation. 

What is the lowest paid position at Walmart?

The lowest paying jobs at Walmart are generally entry-level hourly roles like Cashier, Stock Clerk, or Sales Associate, with reported starting wages often near the minimum pay for hourly associates, sometimes around $14-$15 per hour (as of late 2024/early 2025), though wages vary significantly by location and state minimums, with some reports showing starting pay as low as $10.74/hour in some areas. 

What 5 states have no minimum wage?

Five U.S. states do not have their own minimum wage laws, so the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour applies: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee, alongside Georgia and Wyoming, which have rates below the federal level, meaning federal law sets the standard in these states.
 

What state pays the best minimum wage?

Washington, D.C. leads the nation with $17.95 per hour (effective July 1, 2025). The top 5 other states with the highest minimum wage include: New York: $17.00 (in NYC, Long Island, & Westchester), $16.00 (rest of state) Connecticut: $16.94.

Where in the US is the minimum wage $20?

The main place in the U.S. with a $20 minimum wage is California, specifically for fast-food workers at large chains since April 2024, though some Washington cities like Tukwila, Burien, and Renton also have local minimums exceeding $20 as of 2026, notes Paycor and the Economic Policy Institute. While California's standard is a significant benchmark, other localities and sectors may reach or approach $20, with wages often adjusted for inflation or specific industries like healthcare. 

What is Texas's minimum wage?

The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal minimum wage, as Texas does not have a state-specific minimum wage higher than the federal standard. For tipped employees, the cash wage is $2.13 per hour, but tips must bring their total earnings up to at least $7.25 per hour. Texas law requires employers to provide earnings statements and has specific rules for tipped workers and certain exemptions. 

Is minimum wage enough to live on?

Key Takeaways. The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. Working for minimum wage does not give most people a living wage. Many states and cities have a higher minimum wage in place, more than double in some cases, but workers still struggle to make ends meet.

Which states are raising the minimum wage in 2026?

In 2026, numerous states increased their minimum wages, with many effective January 1st, including California ($16.90), Washington ($17.13), New York ($16/$17), New Jersey ($15.92), Connecticut ($16.94), and Hawaii ($16). Other states like Florida, Alaska, and Oregon have scheduled increases later in the year, while states like Georgia, Mississippi, and others remain at the federal $7.25 rate.
 

Is $40,000 a year considered poor?

$40,000 a year is generally not considered poverty level for a single person in the U.S. (which is around $15k-$19k depending on location for 2025), but it falls into the lower-middle income bracket, meaning it's tight and often feels like poverty or a struggle, especially with high housing costs, dependents, or in expensive cities. Whether it's "poverty" depends heavily on your location, family size, and lifestyle, but it requires careful budgeting to cover essentials like food, housing, and transport. 

What state has the best living wage?

Top five highest living wages in the U.S.

• Washington, D.C. If you didn't see the nation's capital coming in on this list, well, you've never lived in D.C. Residents here need to pull in a whopping $67,867 per year just to afford life in the city. ...
• Hawaii. ...
• Massachusetts. ...
• Connecticut. ...
• New York. ...
• Idaho. ...
• South Dakota. ...
• West Virginia.

What is the minimum wage in Florida?

As of September 30, 2025, Florida's minimum wage is $14.00 per hour, a scheduled increase from $13.00, with further annual $1.00 increases planned until it reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026, as part of a voter-approved amendment. Tipped employees must receive a direct wage of at least $10.98 per hour as of this date, ensuring their total earnings meet the standard minimum wage.
 

What states pay the most hourly?

Washington, D.C. has the highest average hourly wage in the U.S., standing at $51.30. Eight of the 10 lowest-paying states are in the South.

Who has to pay $20 an hour in California?

In California, fast-food workers at chains with 60 or more locations nationally are guaranteed a minimum wage of $20 per hour as of April 1, 2024, covering places like Burger King, McDonald's, and coffee/ice cream shops, though exceptions exist for places baking their own bread or located in grocery stores. Outside of fast food, other sectors might offer $20/hour, including some healthcare roles like phlebotomists or entry-level positions in pet care, but this depends heavily on the specific employer, experience, and location. 

What states just raise the minimum wage?

Minimum wage workers in Hawaii will see the largest jump in their hourly pay. The state's minimum wage rose by $2 per hour, from $14 to $16. Other states with minimum wage increases include Arizona, California, Michigan, New Jersey and New York.

What state has the highest minimum wage 2025?

As of early 2025, Washington State generally has the highest minimum wage at $16.66/hour, with Washington D.C. leading overall at $17.50/hour (increasing to $17.95 July 1, 2025). Other high-wage states include California, New York, and Connecticut, with specific rates depending on location and sector, and some cities having even higher local minimums. 

What is a living wage?

A living wage is the minimum hourly income a full-time worker needs to cover their basic necessities and afford a decent standard of living in a specific location, including costs like food, housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and other essentials, without relying on public assistance. It differs from a minimum wage because it's based on local costs, not just legal requirements, and aims for self-sufficiency and dignity, not just subsistence.
 

Who is exempt from the minimum wage?

Exemptions from minimum wage laws under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) cover "white-collar" professionals (executives, administrative, professionals, outside sales), certain computer employees, young workers under 20 (first 90 days), tipped employees, full-time students, handicapped workers, casual babysitters, and companions for the elderly/disabled, as well as workers in specific industries like seasonal amusement, small newspapers, and fishing, but exemptions are narrowly defined and depend on specific duties and salary tests, not just job titles. 

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

Yes, Walmart offers new truck drivers starting salaries of up to $110,000 in their first year, a significant increase from previous averages, alongside benefits and a path to earn even more with tenure, thanks to programs designed to attract and train drivers amid industry shortages. 

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.

Can you make $20 an hour at Walmart?

Walmart doesn't have a universal $20/hour starting wage, but many roles, especially in distribution, specialized departments (like Vision/Pharmacy), or Team Lead positions, can reach or exceed $20/hour, with general starting pay often in the $14-$19 range depending on location and role, while advanced roles and locations offer more.