Which State Has the Highest (and Lowest) Minimum Wage?

President Joe Biden and most Democrats have been calling for a drastic increase in the federal minimum wage, to $15 from $7.25. While a handful of states and many prominent companies have taken matters into their own hands, raising their minimum wages well into the double digits, other states are tied to the federal minimum wage, which hasn’t changed since 2009. In 2023, 27 states will see an increase in their minimum wage. Where does your state fit in, and what changes are on the horizon? We examined data from the Economic Policy Institute to find out.

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Alabama is one of a handful of Southern states that doesn’t have a minimum wage. Instead, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies as long as the employer is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13.

Looking ahead: Because the federal minimum wage hasn’t changed since 2009, Alabama’s minimum wage hasn’t, either. The Birmingham City Council tried to pass a local minimum wage of $10.10 per hour in 2016, but the move was stymied by state lawmakers and, eventually, a federal appeals court. 

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There is no official state minimum wage in Louisiana, so the federal minimum wage of $7.25 is the default standard. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Louisiana’s minimum wage has been unchanged since the last federal minimum-wage hike in 2009. While Gov. John Bel Edwards has said he supports an increase, state lawmakers voted against a statewide hike in 2018. 

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Like its neighbors to the east and west, Mississippi lacks a state minimum wage, so most employers are subject to the $7.25 federal minimum wage. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Mississippi workers last saw a minimum-wage bump in 2009, when the federal minimum rose to $7.25. State lawmakers’ recent efforts to raise the minimum wage, including a bill to pay workers at least $10 an hour beginning in 2024, have made little headway. 

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South Carolina’s lack of a state minimum wage means the $7.25 federal minimum wage applies in most cases. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: The Palmetto State’s minimum wage hasn’t gone up since the federal minimum wage hit $7.25 in 2009. Though some representatives have introduced bills to implement a higher wage, none have made it into law. 

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It’s the same story in Tennessee: In lieu of a state minimum wage, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies in most cases. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Again, the minimum wage in Tennessee hasn’t budged since 2009, when the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 took effect. An effort to boost the state’s minimum wage to $12 by 2025 didn’t make it out of committee. 

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Georgia’s minimum wage is officially $5.15 an hour, but most employers are required to pay at least $7.25 under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Georgia’s minimum wage has flatlined at $5.15 since 2001, though it was effectively raised in 2009, when the federal minimum wage reached $7.25. An ambitious effort to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 stalled in 2020.

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Wyoming is the only state other than Georgia with a minimum wage lower than the federal minimum wage. Still, as with Georgia, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies in most cases. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13.

Looking ahead: Wyoming’s minimum wage jumped from a meager $1.60 to $5.15 in 2001, a rate superseded by the last federal minimum wage increase in 2009. An effort to gradually bump up the minimum wage to $9.75 in 2024 stagnated in the state legislature. 

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Idaho kicks off a long line of states that have officially adopted the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make a base of $3.35 an hour, better than the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13.

Looking ahead: Idaho workers haven’t seen minimum-wage increase since 2009. Lawmakers introduced a bill to raise it all the way to $15 by 2023, but it failed to pass.

Indiana’s minimum wage also mirrors the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Indiana’s minimum-wage workers haven’t seen an increase since 2009, when the federal minimum wage hit $7.25. Though some lawmakers recently backed an increase to $10 by 2022 and $15 by 2027, it failed.

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Iowa also uses the federal minimum wage for most workers, but it is slightly more generous with tipped workers. They make $4.35, or 60% of the regular minimum wage.

Looking ahead: Iowa’s minimum wage was set at $7.25 in 2008, and has remained there ever since. A handful of counties tried to raise their minimum wages locally, but in 2017, the governor signed a bill preventing local officials from establishing a minimum wage higher than the state’s.

Kansas’ minimum wage mirrors the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Kansas’ minimum wage made a big leap to $7.25 in 2010 from $2.65, but hasn’t budged since then. Though some lawmakers pushed recently for an increase to $15 by 2021, the bill died in committee. A bill pushing a slower increase to $13 by 2024 also stalled.

Kentucky’s minimum wage mirrors the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Kentucky’s minimum wage last jumped in 2009, the same year the federal minimum wage hit $7.25. Efforts by Lexington and Louisville to raise the minimum wage locally were shot down in a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling in 2016. Lawmakers have pushed for a statewide raise and continue to do so, but the bills have fizzled out so far.

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While New Hampshire is hardly alone in matching the federal minimum wage, it is out of step with its neighbors, which all mandate double-digit minimum wages. The minimum wage for New Hampshire’s tipped workers is $3.26, 45% the regular minimum wage. 

Looking ahead: New Hampshire’s minimum wage hasn’t changed since 2009, when the federal minimum wage hit $7.25. In 2020, Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage to $12 by 2022.

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North Carolina’s minimum wage mirrors the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: North Carolina’s minimum-wage workers haven’t seen a pay increase since 2009, when the federal minimum wage hit $7.25. There have been several efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage, including one to bump it to $15 an hour, but none have made headway.

North Dakota matches the federal minimum wage, but like Iowa, it is slightly more generous with its tipped workers. They make $4.86, more than $2.50 over the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13, because their wage is set at 67% of the regular federal minimum wage.

Looking ahead: As in many other states, minimum wage hasn’t changed in North Dakota since the federal minimum wage hit $7.25 in 2009. Proponents of a statute that would require a $15 minimum wage were unable to get the issue on the November 2020 ballot. 

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Oklahoma’s minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Oklahoma workers haven’t seen an increase in the minimum wage since 2009. Recent legislation aimed to bump up that number to $10.50, but failed.

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Pennsylvania’s minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage. That’s not the norm in the mid-Atlantic, where many states have double-digit minimum wages. Pennsylvania’s tipped workers make $2.83, a bit higher than the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Though Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been stagnant since 2009, an increase to $12 and eventually $15 has support in high places, including from Gov. Tom Wolf. That said, proposals advocating increases haven’t been successful in years past.

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Texas’ minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: There’s been no movement on Texas’ minimum wage since the federal minimum wage rose to $7.25 in 2009. A proposed bill called for that rate to go up incrementally until it reaches $15 in 2025, but failed.

Utah’s minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Utah’s minimum-wage workers haven’t seen a pay bump since 2009. While there have been proposals to raise the minimum wage, including this one seeking an increase to $15 by 2026, none have succeeded.

Wisconsin’s minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25. Tipped workers make $2.33, slightly more than the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: There are no minimum-wage hikes on the horizon in Wisconsin, which hasn’t seen that number rise since 2009. Lawmakers recently introduced a bill to get rid of the lower wage for tipped workers, however.

Florida’s minimum wage jumps from $11 to $12 in September of 2023. Tipped workers saw their wages go up to $7.98 and will go up another dollar in September. Bigger rises are on the horizon for both groups. 

Looking ahead: Minimum wage will rise $1 more every year until it hits $15 at the end of September 2026. For tipped workers, the minimum wage will rise $1 more every year until it hits $11.98 at the end of September 2026. After that, yearly increases will be tied to inflation.

The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Montana. 

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation, accounting for the jump from $9.20 to $9.95 in January.

While West Virginia’s minimum wage jumped to $8.75 from $8 at the end of 2015, but hasn’t changed since. Tipped workers make a bit over the federal minimum, $2.63, or 30% of the regular minimum wage.

Looking ahead: No increases to West Virginia’s minimum wage are planned, and the state Senate recently passed a bill that would prevent cities or counties from raising the minimum wage locally.

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The beginning of 2023 will bring a raise, to $9.30 from $10.10, for Ohio’s minimum-wage workers. Tipped workers, whose wage is set at 50% of the regular minimum, saw an increase to $5.05.

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation. But some lawmakers say those are no longer adequate and are pushing for a more substantial increase.

Nebraska’s minimum wage jumped from $8 to $9 in 2016, then bounced to $10.50 in 2013 Tipped workers make the federal minimum, $2.13.

Looking ahead: An increase to Nebraska’s minimum wage to $15 is planned, with the hourly wage rising to $12 in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, and $15 in 2026

The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Nevada. Both will increase from $10.50 to $11.25 in July 2023. Interestingly, employers who provide health insurance are allowed to pay $1 less than Nevada’s minimum wage.

Looking ahead: Workers will get yearly 75-cent raises until July 2024, bringing Nevada’s minimum wage to $12.

While Delaware’s minimum-wage workers will get a raise from $10.50 to $11.75 on January 1, 2023, the tipped wage has stagnated at $2.23 since the mid-1990s. 

Looking ahead: The Delaware Senate recently approved a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2025. 

South Dakota’s minimum wage rose to $9.45 from $9.30 at the beginning of 2021, while its tipped wage, set at 50% of regular minimum wage, rose to $5.45.

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation.

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Virginia’s minimum wage had been languishing at $7.25 for a decade, but in May 2021, the number rose to $9.50 and in 2023 to $12. Tipped workers make the federal tipped minimum wage, $2.13. 

Looking ahead: Two further planned increases, to $13.50 in 2025 and $15 in 2026, must be reauthorized by lawmakers before they take effect. After that, yearly increases are tied to inflation.

Workers in Michigan saw a modest minimum-wage increase in 2021, to $10.10 from $9.87. Tipped workers, who make 38% of the regular minimum wage by law, saw their wage rise to $3.84. 

Looking ahead: Michigan’s minimum wage will rise incrementally to $12.05 in 2030 ($4.58 for tipped workers) — a much slower rate of increase than an original plan to raise it to $12 by 2022.

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The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Minnesota. Workers in the Twin Cities, however, make a higher wage: $13.50 in Minneapolis.

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation and are capped at 2.5%. 

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The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are slightly different in Hawaii. Both increased, but regular minimum wage is $12 and tipped wages are $11 an hour.

Looking ahead: There are further scheduled minimum wage increases in Hawaii: $12.75 in 2024, $14.75 in 2026, and $16.50 in 2028.

Missouri’s private-employer minimum wage increased to $12 from $11.15 at the beginning of 2023, while its tipped wage rose to $6 from $5.58. Tipped wages are set at 50% of the regular minimum wage. 

Looking ahead: After this most recent wage hike, increases will be based on inflation. By law, Missouri’s minimum wage cannot be less than federal minimum wage.

The regular minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are the same in Alaska, and rose to $10.85 from $10.34.

Looking forward: Yearly increases are tied to inflation. It’s worth noting that state law requires Alaska’s minimum wage to be at least $1 more than federal minimum wage.

New Mexico’s minimum wage made a leap forward in 2023, to $12 from $11.50. Its tipped wage rose to $3 from $2.80. Workers in Santa Fe will get a minimum of $12.95 an hour in March.

Looking forward: New Mexicans don't currently have future rate hikes to the minimum wage in the future.

Arkansas is a rare bird in the South: A state that not only doesn’t pay federal minimum wage, but one that has raised its minimum wage into the double digits. In fact, Arkansas raised its minimum wage to $11 at the beginning of 2021 from $10. But tipped workers’ minimum wage is set at $2.63.

Looking ahead: There are no more scheduled increases for Arkansas’ minimum wage.

Illinois will raise its minimum wage to $13 at the beginning of 2023, while tipped workers saw a bump to $7.80 from $7.20. In Chicago, there’s a separate minimum wage of $15.40 ($9.24 for tipped workers).

Looking ahead: The state’s minimum wage is set to jump $1 every year until 2025, when it reaches $15. The tipped wage will rise 60 cents each year, reaching $9 in 2025.

Rhode Island’s minimum wage rose to $13 from $12.25 in 2022. Tipped workers make $3.89, but haven’t gotten an increase since 2016.

Looking ahead: The Rhode Island Senate approved incremental raises up to $15 over the next four years

The beginning of 2023 will bring a $1 rise, to $13.25 from $12.25, in Maryland’s minimum wage. Tipped workers, who make $3.63, have not seen any recent increases. 

Looking ahead: More minimum wage increases are slated for coming years: $14 in 2024, and $15 in 2025. Smaller employers are on a separate schedule that will reach $15 in 2026.

Vermont’s minimum wage rose to $11.75 from $10.96 at the beginning of 2021. Tipped workers’ wages are set at 50% of the regular minimum and saw the number rise to $6.59 this year. 

Looking ahead: Yearly increases are tied to inflation.

In September, Connecticut raises its minimum wage to $15 from $14 in June. Tipped workers make $6.38, but haven’t seen an increase since 2018.

Looking ahead: After the June raise in the minimum wage to $15 an hour, increases will be tied to inflation.

New Jersey’s minimum wage raises $1, to $14 from $13, at the beginning of 2023, while the tipped wage is $5.13.

Looking ahead: The minimum wage is set to rise another dollar at the beginning of every year until 2024, when it will reach $15. Future tipped minimum increases will be tied to inflation.

Oregon’s minimum wage rose to $13.50 in the summer of 2022, and annual indexing begins July 2023. Tipped workers make the same wage in Oregon, and got the same increase. But where you live also comes into play: Portland-area workers get a higher minimum wage, while workers in rural counties make slightly less.

Looking ahead: The minimum wage rose to $13.50 last July, and for Portland workers, wages hit $14.75 in 2022; for rural workers, wages jumped $12.50. After that, increases will be tied to inflation.

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Arizona’s minimum wage rose to $12.15 in 2021 from $12. Tipped workers, whose wages are set at $3 less than the regular minimum wage, saw their pay increase to $10.85. 

Looking ahead: Future adjustments will be based on inflation. 

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Like Arizona, Maine’s minimum wage rose 15 cents at the beginning of 2021, going to $12.15 from $12. Tipped workers, whose wage is set at half the regular minimum wage, got an 8-cent bump to $6.08 from $6. 

Looking ahead: Future adjustments will be based on inflation, but workers in Portland will see their wages rise more quickly. They’re slated to get $13 starting in 2022, $14 in 2023, and $15 in 2024, after which adjustments are tied to inflation.

Colorado’s minimum wage rose to $13.65 this year from $12.56, while its tipped workers saw their wages increase to $10.62 

Looking ahead: Future bumps for Colorado’s minimum wage are pegged to inflation. Denver workers saw their wages rise to $15.87 in 2022, with increases tied to inflation in 2023.

Many of New York’s minimum-wage workers ring in 2023 by watching their pay rise to $1 an hour from $14.20. There are some important exceptions: Fast-food workers make at least $15 in the Big Apple, Nassau, Westchester, and Suffolk while in New York City the minimum wage is $15 for all workers. 

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Massachusetts boosted its minimum wage to $15 at the beginning of 2021 as well as a paid family and medical leave program for minimum wage employees.

Looking ahead: Tipped workers will make $6.75 in 2023. State law requires the state’s minimum wage to be at least 50 cents more than the federal minimum wage.

Higher minimum wages apply in Seattle, where workers make $17.27, and SeaTac, where the minimum wage is $17.54. 

Looking ahead: Annual increases will continue based on inflation. Washington was the first state to adjust its minimum wage based on cost-of-living indexes, and has been doing so for two decades.

California will have the highest minimum wage rate for any state at $15.50, up from  $15 in 2022. It raised its minimum wage to $14 in 2021 from $13, the result of a law mandating incremental raises beginning in 2017. Tipped workers also make $15. Companies with 25 or fewer employees may still pay $14 an hour.

Looking ahead: The minimum wage will be adjusted annually for inflation, but cannot be lowered.

It may not be a “state” as such, but workers in Washington, D.C., already get a minimum of $16.10 an hour, even as lawmakers plead their case for the same rate nationally on Capitol Hill. Tipped workers get a tipped wage of $5 an hour. 

Looking ahead: D.C.’s minimum wage will rise again in July based on the Consumer Price Index, according to its Department of Employment Services. Lawmakers have also pledged to raise D.C.’s minimum wage to $1 more than the federal wage.