Which are the states with the highest minimum wages?
Washington, California and New York are some of the places offering higher pay to workers
The minimum wage in the United States is a fundamental labor standard designed to guarantee a basic level of income for workers. Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, an amount that has not changed since 2009. However, many states and cities have set their own minimum wages in response to the rising cost of living and public demand for wage reform. For example, Washington State has one of the highest minimum wages in the entire country at $16.66 per hour, followed closely by California at $16.50. These rates are typically adjusted annually based on inflation or cost-of-living indexes. Some local governments, such as Seattle and San Francisco, apply minimum wages even higher than those of their respective states.
The patchwork of minimum wage laws across the country reflects the varying economic conditions and political priorities of each state. Some, such as Wyoming and Georgia, have state minimum wages below the federal rate, but are required to follow the federal standard for most workers. Others, such as Texas and North Carolina, have kept their minimum wage at the same level as the federal rate. In contrast, states such as New York and Oregon have implemented regional minimum wage structures that take into account differences between urban and rural areas. In addition, many territories provide exceptions for certain groups, such as minors, students or new hires, and offer sub-minimum or training wages.
Below is a list of states with higher minimum wages, including their premiums and information on how they are adjusted. Extra (or premium) pay is extra compensation given to employees for working more hours than usual or under special conditions.
District of Columbia (D.C.)
Minimum wage: $17.50/hour
Bonus pay: Weekly - over 40 hours.
Adjusted annually on July 1 by an established formula.
Washington
Minimum Wage: $16.66/hour
Premium pay: Weekly - over 40 hours.
Adjusted annually. Compensatory time may be requested in lieu of premium pay.
California
Minimum Wage: $16.50/hour
Premium pay:
- Daily: over 8 hours (time and a half), over 12 hours (double time)
- Weekly: over 40 hours
- Seventh Day: first 8 hours (time and a half), over 8 hours (double time)
Adjusted annually based on an established formula.
New York (NYC, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties)
Minimum wage: $16.50/hour
Rest of State: $15.50/hour
Premium pay: Weekly - over 40 hours
Residential workers are paid overtime starting at 44 hours; companies must provide 24-hour weekly rest periods for certain industries.
Connecticut
Minimum wage: $16.35/hour
Bonus pay: Weekly - over 40 hours
1-1/2 times the regular rate of pay after the seventh consecutive day of restaurant/hotel work.
Colorado
Minimum Wage: $14.81/hour
Bonus Pay: Daily - over 12 hours. Weekly - more than 40 hours
Minimum wage applies to specific industries such as retail, service and medical.
Arizona
Minimum Wage: $14.70/hour
Oregon
Minimum Wage:
- $15.95/hour (Portland metro area)
- $14.70/hour (standard state rate)
- $13.70/hour (non-urban counties)
Premium Pay: Weekly - over 40 hours
Additional daily overtime is paid for certain non-agricultural manufacturing and packaging plants.
Florida
Minimum Wage: $13.00/hour
There is a $1 increase every September 30 until reaching $15 in 2026. Adjusted annually.
Missouri
Minimum Wage: $13.75/hour
Premium pay: Weekly - over 40 hours
Adjusted annually. Exemptions apply to small businesses and seasonal leisure/recreation workers.
Nebraska
Minimum Wage: $13.50/hour
Maine
Minimum Wage: $14.65/hour
Premium Pay: Weekly - over 40 hours
Automatically increases if federal wage exceeds state minimum. Adjusted annually.
Rhode Island
Minimum wage: $15.00/hour
Premium pay: Weekly - over 40 hours
Sunday and holiday pay available for retail trade and certain industries.
Massachusetts
Minimum Wage: $15.00/hour
Premium Pay: Weekly - over 40 hours
State wage must always be at least $0.50 higher than federal wage.
Maryland / Illinois / New Jersey
Maryland: $15.00/hour - Weekly overtime after 40 hours.
Illinois: $15.00/hour - Applies to four or more employees.
New Jersey: $15.49/hour | $14.53 for companies with fewer than six employees or seasonal.
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