The federal minimum wage in the United States is still $7.25 per hour. However, many states have enacted laws requiring employers to pay workers more than this amount.
This means how much you earn depends largely on where you live.
States With the Highest Minimum Wages
Some areas now pay workers more than twice the federal minimum wage. Here are the places with the highest minimum wages as of May 2026:
| Location | Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Washinton, D.C. | $17.95 |
| Washington State | $17.13 |
| New York City, Long Island, and Westchester | $17.00 |
| Connecticut | $16.94 |
| California | $16.90 |
| Hawaii | $16.00 |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 |
| Rest of New York State | $16.00 |
| New Jersey | $15.92 |
| Colorado | $15.16 |
| Arizona | $15.15 |
| Maine | $15.10 |
| Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska | $15.00 |
States With Mid-Range Minimum Wages
Several states fall somewhere in the middle:
- Florida: $14.00
- Vermont: $14.42
- Michigan: $13.73
- Alaska: $13.00
- Virginia: $12.77
- Nevada and New Mexico: $12.00
- South Dakota: $11.85
- Minnesota: $11.41
- Arkansas and Ohio: $11.00
- Montana: $10.85
- West Virginia: $8.75
States Still at the Federal Minimum
A large number of states have not set their own higher minimum wage. Workers in these states earn $7.25 per hour:
Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Georgia and Wyoming technically have state minimum wages of $5.15 per hour. However, most employers in these states must follow federal law and pay at least $7.25.
The Bottom Line
If you're a worker or employer, remember this: state and local laws can require higher pay than the federal minimum wage.
Always check the rules in your specific city or county, as some local areas have even higher wage requirements than their state.
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