State Minimum Wages: An Overview
Updated December 22, 2020
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R43792

State Minimum Wages: An Overview

Summary
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, is the federal law that establishes the
general minimum wage that must be paid to al covered workers. While the FLSA mandates
broad minimum wage coverage, states have the option of establishing minimum wage rates that
are different from those set in it. Under the provisions of the FLSA, an individual is general y
covered by the higher of the state or federal minimum wage.
Based on current rates and scheduled increases occurring at some point in 2021, minimum wage
rates are above the federal rate of $7.25 per hour in 30 states and the District of Columbia,
ranging from $1.50 to $7.75 above the federal rate. Another 13 states have minimum wage rates
equal to the federal rate. The remaining 7 states have minimum wage rates below the federal rate
or do not have a state minimum wage requirement. In the states with no minimum wage
requirements or wages lower than the federal minimum wage, only individuals who are not
covered by the FLSA are subject to those lower rates.
In any given year, the exact number of states with a minimum wage rate above the federal rate
may vary, depending on the interaction between the federal rate and the mechanisms in place to
adjust the state minimum wage. Adjusting minimum wage rates is typical y done in one of tw o
ways: (1) legislatively scheduled rate increases that may include one or several increments; (2) a
measure of inflation to index the value of the minimum wage to the general change in prices.
Of the 30 states and the District of Columbia with minimum wage rates above the federal rate, 6
currently have no scheduled increases beyond 2021, 6 states have legislatively scheduled rate
increases only after 2021, and 18 states and the District of Columbia have scheduled increases
through a combination of planned increases and current- or future-year indexation of state
minimum wage rates to a measure of inflation. In addition, currently nine states—California,
Connecticut, Florida, Il inois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia—and
the District of Columbia have scheduled rate increases to $15.00 per hour at some point between
2020 and 2026.
Because the federal and state minimum wage rates change at various times and in various
increments, the share of the labor force for which the federal rate is the binding wage floor has
changed over time. Since 1981, there have been three series of increases in the federal minimum
wage rate—1990-1991, 1996-1997, and 2007-2009. During that same period, there have been
numerous changes in state minimum wage policies. As a result of those interactions, the share of
the U.S. civilian labor force living in states in which the federal minimum wage is the floor has
fluctuated but general y declined, and is about 39% as of 2020.
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Introduction
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, is the federal legislation that establishes
the general minimum wage that must be paid to al covered workers.1 The FLSA mandates broad
minimum wage coverage. It also specifies certain categories of workers who are not covered by
general FLSA wage standards, such as workers with disabilities or certain youth workers.
In 1938, the FLSA established a minimum wage of $0.25 per hour. The minimum wage
provisions of the FLSA have been amended numerous times since then, typical y to expand
coverage or raise the wage rate. Since its establishment, the minimum wage rate has been raised
22 separate times.2 The most recent change was enacted through P.L. 110-28 in 2007, which
increased the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to its current rate of $7.25 per hour in three
steps (the final step occurring in 2009).
States general y have three options in setting their minimum wage policies: (1) they can set their
own minimum wage provisions that differ from those in the FLSA, (2) they can explicitly tie their
minimum wage provisions to the FLSA, or (3) they can include no specific minimum wage
provisions in state law.
This report begins with a brief discussion of FLSA minimum wage coverage. It then provides a
summary of state minimum wage laws, followed by an examination of rates and mechanisms of
adjustments in states with minimum wage levels above the FLSA rate (Table 2 provides summary
data). Next, the report discusses the interaction of federal and state minimum wages over time,
and final y, the Appendix provides detailed information on the major components of minimum
wage policies in al 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The state policies covered in this report include currently effective policies and policies enacted
with an effective date at some point in 2021. While most states’ scheduled state minimum wage
rate changes (due to inflation adjustments or statutorily scheduled changes) occurred on January 1
of each year, a few states have rate increases scheduled for later in the year. Effective dates of rate
increases are noted in Table 2 and in the Appendix.
The FLSA Minimum Wage
The FLSA extends two types of minimum wage coverage to individuals: “enterprise coverage”
and “individual coverage.”3 An individual is covered if they meet the criteria for either category.
Enterprise Coverage
To be covered by the FLSA at the enterprise or business level, an enterprise must have at least
two employees and annual sales or “business done” of at least $500,000. Annual sales or business
done includes al business activities that can be measured in dollars. Thus, for example, retailers

1 In addition, the FLSA provides for overtime pay and child labor protections. For a broader overview of the minimum
wage, see CRS Report R43089, The Federal Minim um Wage: In Brief, by David H. Bradley.
2 Although the rate has increased 22 separate times, this does not mean that there have been 22 separately enacted laws
to increase the minimum wage. In some cases, one law contained multiple increases in the minimum wage rate that
were phased in over time.
3 29 U.S.C. §206(a). State laws generally cover and exempt similar types of workers as those covered and exempted in
the FLSA. While there are some cases in which state laws seem to cover different types or classes of workers than the
FLSA, these coverage differentials appear to be relatively minor.
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are covered by the FLSA if their annual sales are at least $500,000.4 In non-sales cases, a measure
other than sales must be used to determine business done. For example, for enterprises engaged in
leasing property, gross amounts paid by tenants for property rental wil be considered business
done for purposes of determining enterprise coverage.
In addition, regardless of the dollar volume of business, the FLSA applies to hospitals or other
institutions primarily providing medical or nursing care for residents; schools (preschool through
institutions of higher education); and federal, state, and local governments.
Thus, regardless of how enterprise coverage is determined (by business done or by specified
institutional type), al employees of a covered enterprise are considered to be covered by the
FLSA.
Individual Coverage
Although an enterprise may not be subject to minimum wage requirements if it has less than
$500,000 in annual sales or business done, employees of the enterprise may be covered if they are
individual y engaged in interstate commerce or in the production of goods for interstate
commerce. To be engaged in interstate commerce—the definition of which is fairly broad—
employees must produce goods (or have indirect input to the production of those goods) that wil
be shipped out of the state of production, travel to other states for work, make phone cal s or send
emails to persons in other states, handle records that are involved in interstate transactions, or
provide services to buildings (e.g., janitorial work) in which goods are produced for shipment
outside of the state.5
While individual coverage is broad under the FLSA, there are also specific exemptions from the
federal rate, including individuals with disabilities; youth workers; tipped workers; and executive,
administrative, and professional workers, among others.6
FLSA Minimum Wage Rates
In 1938, the FLSA established a minimum wage of $0.25 per hour. The minimum wage
provisions of the FLSA have been amended numerous times since then, typical y for the purpose
of expanding coverage or raising the wage rate. Since its establishment, the minimum wage rate
has been raised 22 separate times. The most recent change was enacted in 2007 (P.L. 110-28),
which increased the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to its current rate of $7.25 per hour in
three steps. On July 18, 2019, the House passed H.R. 582, which would increase the federal
minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025, index the rate to changes in the median hourly wage,
and phase out subminimum wages for tipped workers, youth, and individuals with disabilities.7
Figure 1 shows the nominal and real (inflation-adjusted) value of the federal minimum wage
from its enactment in 1938 through 2020. The real value of the minimum wage general y rose
from 1938 to 1968, after which it has general y fal en in real terms, with some brief increases in

4 T he $500,000 threshold refers to the annual gross volume of sales. It is not a measure of net revenue or profits.
5 U.S. Department of Labor, Coverage Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, available at http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/
compliance/whdfs14.pdf. (Hereinafter cited as DOL, Coverage Under the Fair Labor Standards Act.) T hese examples
are not exhaustive but are meant to illustrate the relatively broad range of activities comprising “ interstate commerce.”
6 DOL provides a series of fact sheets on the various individual minimum wage exemptions in the FLSA. See
http://www.dol.gov/whd/fact-sheets-index.htm for individual fact sheets.
7 For additional information, see CRS In Focus IF11282, Minimum Wages and the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582), by
David H. Bradley and Julie M. Whittaker. An identical companion bill (S. 150) was introduced in the Senate on
January 16, 2019.
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State Minimum Wages: An Overview

value following periodic statutory rate changes. From an initial rate of $0.25 per hour in 1938
($4.57 in inflation-adjusted terms), the minimum wage increased to $1.60 per hour in 1968
($11.84 in inflation-adjusted terms), a peak value to date. The real value of the minimum wage
has fal en by $1.45 since it was increased to $7.25 in 2009.
Figure 1. The Federal Minimum Wage 1938 to 2020

Source: Figure created by CRS using data from the DOL Wage and Hour Division, https://www.dol.gov/whd/
minwage/chart.htm.
Notes: : The inflation-adjusted minimum wage is expressed in 2020 dol ars based on the Consumer Price Index
for Al Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. City Average. The CPI-U value for 2020 is the semi-annual average for
the first half of 2020.
Minimum Wage Policies in the States
State policymakers may also choose to set labor standards that are different from federal statutes.
The FLSA establishes that if a state enacts minimum wage, overtime, or child labor laws more
protective of employees than those provided in the FLSA, then state law applies. In the case of
minimum wages, this means FLSA-covered workers are entitled to the higher state minimum
wage in those states with rates above the federal minimum. On the other hand, FLSA-covered
workers would receive the FLSA minimum wage in states that have set minimum wages lower
than the federal rate. Given the general y broad minimum wage coverage of the FLSA, it is likely
that most workers in states with minimum wages below the federal rate are covered by the FLSA
rate.
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In 2021, the range of state minimum wage rates is as follows:8
 30 states and the District of Columbia have enacted minimum wage rates above
the federal rate of $7.25 per hour;
 2 states have minimum wage rates below the federal rate;
 5 states have no state minimum wage requirement; and
 the remaining 13 states have minimum wage rates equal to the federal rate.9
In the states with no minimum wage requirements or wages lower than the federal minimum
wage, only individuals who are not covered by the FLSA are subject to those lower rates.
The Appendix provides detailed information on state minimum wage policy in al 50 states and
the District of Columbia, including the legislation authorizing the state minimum wage and the
relevant legislative language regarding the rate and mechanism of adjustment.
The remainder of this report focuses on states with minimum wages above the federal rate.
Rates and Mechanisms of Adjustment
In states with minimum wage rates above the federal rate, variation occurs mainly across two
dimensions: the rate and the mechanism of adjustment to the rate. This section (including data in
Table 2) summarizes these two dimensions for the states with rates currently above the federal
minimum. State rates range from $1.50 to $7.75 above the federal rate, with a majority of these
states using some sort of inflation measure to index the state minimum wage.
Rates
In the 30 states and the District of Columbia with minimum wage rates above the federal rate in
2021, minimum hourly rates range from $8.75 per hour in Montana and West Virginia to $14.00
per hour in California and $15.00 in the District of Columbia. Of the states with minimum wage
rates above $7.25:
 5 states have rates between $1.00 and $2.00 per hour above the federal rate;
 7 states have rates between $2.00 and $3.00 per hour above the federal rate;
 5 states have rates between $3.00 and $4.00 per hour above the federal rate;
 13 states and the District of Columbia have rates greater than $4.00 per hour
above the federal rate (i.e., $11.26 or higher).
In these 30 states and the District of Columbia, the unweighted average minimum wage is $11.11
per hour and the median minimum wage rate is $11.00 per hour. In addition, currently nine
states—California, Connecticut, Florida, Il inois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New

8 T he state policies covered in this report include currently effective policies and policies enacted with an effective date
at some point in 2021. For example, the minimum wage rate in Virginia is currently $7.25 per hour but is scheduled to
increase to $9.25 on May 1, 2021. T hus, Virginia is counted as a state with a minimum wage rate above $7.25 because
it is scheduled to rise in 2021. While most states’ scheduled state minimum wage rate changes (due to inflation
adjustments or statutorily scheduled changes) occurred on January 1 of each year, a few states have rate increases
scheduled for later in the year. See Table 2 for details on the timing of state minimum wage increases.
9 State codes and U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Minimum Wage Laws in the States,
http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm and state websites. See the Appe ndix for details and sources.
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State Minimum Wages: An Overview

York, Virginia—and the District of Columbia have scheduled rate increases to $15.00 per hour at
some point between 2020 and 2026.
Figure 2 shows the geographic and rate dispersion of state minimum wages. In terms of
coverage, a majority of the civilian labor force is in states with a minimum wage rate above the
federal rate of $7.25. Specifical y, the 30 states and the District of Columbia with minimum wage
rates above $7.25 represent about 61% of the total civilian labor force, which means the federal
rate is the wage floor in states representing 39% of the labor force.10
Figure 2. State Minimum Wage Rates in 2021

Source: CRS analysis of state minimum wage statutes. See Table A-1 for details.
Notes: Rates in Figure 2 are either currently in effect or are scheduled to be in effect at some point in 2021.

Mechanisms for Future Adjustments
In any given year, the exact number of states with a minimum wage rate above the federal rate
may vary, depending on what mechanism is in place to adjust the state minimum wage. Some
states specifical y set rates above the federal rate. Other states have rates above the federal
minimum wage because the state minimum wage rate is indexed to a measure of inflation or is

10 T his figure – 61% of the labor force – is derived from the civilian labor force estimates from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. Specifically, 2020 (October, seasonally
adjusted) total civilian labor force in each state was totaled for the 30 states and the District of Columbia with a
minimum wage higher than the federal minimum wage. T his total was then divided by the 2020 civilian labor force for
all states and the District of Columbia.
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increased in legislatively scheduled increments, and thus the state rate changes even if the federal
minimum wage stays unchanged.
Below are the two main approaches to regulating the adjustment of state minimum wage rates in
states with rates above the federal minimum: legislatively scheduled increases and indexing to
inflation.11 In this section, states are counted by the primary method of adjustment. While most
states use only one of these methods, some states combine a series of scheduled increases
followed by indexing the state rate to a measure of inflation. In these cases, states are counted as
“indexing to inflation,” as that is the long-term mechanism of adjustment in place.
Legislatively Scheduled Increases
If a state adopts a minimum wage higher than the federal rate, the state legislature may specify a
single rate in the enacting legislation and then choose not to address future rates. In these cases,
the only mechanism for future rate changes is future legislative action. Alternatively, a state may
specify future rates in legislation through a given date. Rhode Island in 2020, for example, set a
rate of $11.50 per hour beginning October 1, 2020. After the 2020 increase, the rate wil remain at
$11.50 per hour until further legislative action. This is the same approach taken in the most recent
federal minimum wage increase (P.L. 110-28), which increased the minimum wage from $5.15 an
hour in 2007 to $7.25 per hour in 2009 in three phases. Of the 30 states and the District of
Columbia with minimum wage rates above the federal rate, 6 currently have no scheduled
increases beyond 2021—Arkansas, Delaware, Hawai , Nebraska, Rhode Island, and West
Virginia—and 6 have legislatively scheduled rate increases after 2021—Il inois, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, and New Mexico.12
Indexing to Inflation
If a minimum wage rate is established as a fixed amount and not increased, its value wil erode
over time due to inflation.13 For this reason, several states have attempted to maintain the value of
the minimum wage over time by indexing the rate to some measure of inflation. This mechanism
provides for automatic changes in the minimum wage over time and does not require legislative
action to make annual adjustments.
Data in Table 1 provide details of the states that currently, or wil in the future, use indexation to
adjust state minimum wage rates. Currently, 10 states and the District of Columbia index state
minimum wages to a measure of inflation. In addition, another 8 states are scheduled in a future
year to index state minimum wage rates to a measure of inflation. Thus, of the total of 18 states
and the District of Columbia that currently or are scheduled to index minimum wage rates,
 7 states—Arizona, Montana, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and
Virginia—index the state minimum wage to the national Consumer Price Index
for Al Urban Consumers (CPI-U);

11 States may also not provide any mechanism for future minimum wage changes. Of the 30 states and the District of
Columbia with minimum wages above the federal rate in 20 21, six—Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Nebraska, Rhode
Island, and West Virginia—currently do not provide a mechanism for a future rate adjustment beyond 2020. Table A-1
provides details.
12 T his total does not include states that have scheduled increases, followed by indexation to a measure of inflation in
future years. It only includes states that solely use legislatively scheduled rate increases.
13 For a detailed discussion of indexing the minimum wage, see CRS Report R44667, The Federal Minimum Wage:
Indexation, by David H. Bradley.
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 6 states—California, Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington—
index the state minimum wage to the national Consumer Price Index for Urban
Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W);
 2 states—Alaska and Colorado—and the District of Columbia use a subnational
version of the CPI-U to index the state minimum wage;
 1 state (Maine) uses a regional version of the CPI-W to index the minimum
wage;
 1 state (Minnesota) uses the implicit price deflator for Personal Consumption
Expenditures (PCE) to index the minimum wage; and
 1 state (Connecticut) uses the Employment Cost Index (ECI) to index the
minimum wage.
Table 1. Indexation Types in States with Minimum Wages Above the FLSA Rate
State
Index Type
Index Started
Additional Criteria
Alaska
CPI-U, Urban Alaska
2017
Minimum wage must be at least $1
above FLSA rate
Arizona
CPI-U
2021
Rounded to nearest $.05
California
CPI-W
2023
Lesser of 3.5% or CPI-W
Colorado
CPI-U, Denver MSA
2021

Connecticuta
ECI
2024
Rounded to nearest $.01
District of Columbia
CPI-U, Washington
2021
Rounded to nearest $.05
MSA
Florida
CPI-W
2027

Maine
CPI-W, Northeast
2021
Rounded to nearest $.05
Minnesota
PCE
2018
Lesser of 2.5% or CPI-W, rounded
to nearest $.01
Missouri
CPI-W
2024
Rounded to nearest $.05
Montana
CPI-U
2011
Rounded to nearest $.05
New Jersey
CPI-W
2025

New Yorkb
CPI-U
2022
Increase is determined by the NY
Budget Director based on changes
in the CPI-U, state personal
income, and state wages, rounded
to nearest $.05
Ohio
CPI-W
2008
Rounded to nearest $.05
Oregonc
CPI-U
2023
Rounded to nearest $.05
South Dakota
CPI-U
2016
Rounded to nearest $.05
Vermont
CPI-U
2019
Rounded to nearest $.01
Virginia
CPI-U
2027

Washington
CPI-W
2021
Rounded to nearest $.01
Source: CRS analysis of state minimum wage statutes. See Table A-1 for details.
a. Index is ECI, Wages and Salaries, Al Civilian Workers
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b. The state of New York has four minimum wage rates—large employers in New York City; smal employers
in New York City; the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; and the remainder of the state.
Employers in New York City were required to pay $15.00 per hour as of 2019 (large employers) and 2020
(smal employers). Employers in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties wil be required to pay $15.00
starting in 2022. Employers in the remainder of New York wil be required to pay $12.50 in 2021.
Thereafter, the minimum wage in the remainder of the state is scheduled to be increased annual y based on
changes in the CPI-U, state personal income, and state wages until the rate reaches $15.00 per hour.
c. The state of Oregon has three minimum wage rates—Standard, Portland Metro, and Nonurban. In 2022,
scheduled rates are $13.50 (Standard), $14.75 (Portland Metro), and $12.50 (Nonurban). Starting in 2023,
the Standard rate is scheduled to be increased annual y based on changes in the CPI-U. Also starting in 2023
and going forward annual y, the Portland Metro rate wil be set at $1.25 above the Standard rate and the
Nonurban rate wil be set at $1.00 below the Standard rate.

Reference to the Federal Rate
While scheduled increases and indexation are the two main ways that states adjust their minimum
wage rates, a few states also add a reference to the federal minimum wage rate as a possible
mechanism of adjustment. Thus any time the federal rate changes, the state rate may change.14
Currently, Alaska, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, and Massachusetts use this federal
reference to supplement their primary mechanisms of adjusting state minimum wage rates.
 In Alaska, the state minimum wage rate is indexed to the CPI-U for Urban
Alaska. However, Alaska state law requires that the state minimum wage must be
at least $1.00 per hour higher than the federal rate. So it is possible that a federal
wage increase could trigger an increase in the Alaska minimum wage, but the
main mechanism is indexation to inflation.
 Connecticut state law requires that the state rate must be increased to one-half of
1% more than federal rate in the event that the federal rate increases above
Connecticut’s minimum wage.
 The District of Columbia’s minimum wage rate is the higher of the level required
by the District of Columbia statute or the federal rate plus $1.00. Starting in
2021, the District of Columbia minimum wage wil be indexed to inflation and
the reference to the federal rate wil no longer be in effect.
 While Massachusetts law includes scheduled rate increases in the minimum wage
through 2023, the law also requires that the state rate must be at least $0.50
above federal minimum wage rate.
Table 2. Summary of States with Enacted Minimum Wage Rates Above $7.25
As of January 1, 2021 (unless otherwise noted)
State
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Alaska
$10.19
$10.34
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Arizona
$12.00
$12.15
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Arkansas
$10.00
$11.00
$11.00
$11.00
$11.00
$11.00
$11.00
Californiaa
$13.00
$14.00
$15.00
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W

14 T he mechanisms discussed here use the federal rate plus an add-on to set a state rate above the federal rate. Many
states set the state rate equal to the federal rate, so that the state rate automatically changes when the federal rate
changes.
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State
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Colorado
$12.00
$12.32
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Connecticutb
$12.00
$13.00
$14.00
$15.00
ECI
ECI
ECI
Delawarec
$9.25
$9.25
$9.25
$9.25
$9.25
$9.25
$9.25
District of Columbiad
$15.00
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Floridae
$8.56
$10.00
$11.00
$12.00
$13.00
$14.00
$15.00
Hawai
$10.10
$10.10
$10.10
$10.10
$10.10
$10.10
$10.10
Il inois
$10.00
$11.00
$12.00
$13.00
$14.00
$15.00
$15.00
Maine
$12.00
$12.15
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
Marylandf
$11.00
$11.75
$12.50
$13.25
$14.00
$15.00
$15.00
Massachusetts
$12.75
$13.50
$14.25
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
Michigang
$9.65
$9.87
$10.10
$10.33
$10.56
$10.80
$11.04
Minnesotah
$10.00
$10.08
PCE
PCE
PCE
PCE
PCE
Missouri
$9.45
$10.30
$11.15
$12.00
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
Montana
$8.65
$8.75
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Nebraska
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00
Nevadai
$9.00
$9.75
$10.50
$11.25
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00
New Jersey
$11.00
$12.00
$13.00
$14.00
$15.00
CPI-W
CPI-W
New Mexico
$9.00
$10.50
$11.50
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00
New Yorkj
$11.80
$12.50
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Ohio
$8.70
$8.80
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
Oregonk
$12.00
$12.75
$13.50
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Rhode Islandl
$11.50
$11.50
$11.50
$11.50
$11.50
$11.50
$11.50
South Dakota
$9.30
$9.45
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Vermont
$10.96
$11.75
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
CPI-U
Virginiam
$7.25
$9.50
$11.00
$12.00
$12.00
$13.50
$15.00
Washington
$13.50
$13.69
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
CPI-W
West Virginia
$8.75
$8.75
$8.75
$8.75
$8.75
$8.75
$8.75
Source: Minimum wage rates are from U.S. Dept. of Labor, http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm and
state websites; Adjustment mechanisms are from state websites and National Conference of State Legislatures,
http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx.
Notes: In Table 2, cel s with “CPI-U,” “CPI-W,” or “PCE” indicate that the state minimum rate is indexed to
the relevant inflation measure in those years.
a. The minimum wage for California in Table 2 is for large employers, which are defined as any employer
employing 26 or more employees. For employers with 25 or fewer employees, the minimum wage in 202 1
is $13.00 per hour and is scheduled to reach $15.00 on January 1, 2023.
b. The effective dates for minimum wage increases in Connecticut are October 1, 2019; September 1, 2020;
August 1, 2021; July 1, 2022; and June 1, 2023. Starting on January 1, 2024, and each January thereafter, the
minimum wage is scheduled to be increased by changes in the Employment Cost Index (ECI).
c. The minimum wage in Delaware was $8.75 per hour from January 1, 2019, through September 30, 2019. As
of October 1, 2019, the minimum wage is $9.25 per hour.
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d. The minimum wage in the District of Columbia is $15.00 per hour through June 30, 2021. The new rate of
is scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2021, based on changes in CPI-U. Future rate increases begin on July 1.
e. The minimum wage in Florida is $8.65 per hour from January 1, 2021, through September 29, 2021. As of
September 30, 2021, the minimum wage wil be $10.00 per hour. Future rate increases begin on September
30.
f.
The minimum wage for Maryland in Table 2 is for large employers, which are defined as any employer
employing 15 or more employees. For employers with 14 or fewer employees, the minimum wage in 2021
is $11.60 per hour and is scheduled to reach $15.00 on July 1, 2026.
g. The minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $12.05 by January 1, 2030.
h. The minimum wage for Minnesota in Table 2 is for large employers, which are defined as enterprises
“whose annual gross volume of sales made or business done is not less than $500,000 (exclusive of excise
taxes at the retail level that are separately stated) and covered by the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act.”
The minimum wage for smal employers (defined as enterprises “whose annual gross volume of sales made
or business done is less than $500,000”) is $8.21 as of January 1, 2021.
i.
Nevada maintains a two-tier minimum wage system. The minimum wage for Nevada in Table 2 is for
workers who do not receive qualified health benefits from their employer. The minimum wage for workers
receiving qualified health benefits is $1.00 less per hour. Annual adjustments occur on July 1 of each year.
j.
The state of New York has four minimum wage rates—large employers in New York City, smal employers
in New York City, New York City suburbs, and the Remainder of the State—each with different scheduled
rate increases. Fol owing scheduled increases for large employers (11 or more employees) in New York
City, smal employers (10 or fewer employees) in New York City, and New York City suburbs to $15 per
hour (in 2019, 2020, and 2022, respectively), the minimum wage rate for the Remainder of the State
becomes indexed in 2022 from its scheduled rate of $12.50 at that time and remains indexed un til it
reaches $15 per hour. Indexation is not applied to the other three New York rates after they reach $15
per hour. The rate in Table 2 is for the Remainder of the State (outside of New York City and Nassau,
Suffolk, and Westchester counties). Future rate increases begin on December 31. See Table A-1 for
details.
k. The state of Oregon has three minimum wage rates—Standard, Portland Metro, and Nonurban Counties—
each with different scheduled rate increases. The rate in Table 2 is the Standard rate. Future rate increases
begin on July 1. See Table A-1 for details.
l.
The minimum wage in Rhode Island was $10.50 per hour from January 1, 2019, through September 30,
2020. As of October 1, 2020, the minimum wage is $11.50 per hour.
m. The minimum wage in Virginia is $7.25 per hour through April 30, 2021. As of May 1, 2021, the minimum
wage is $9.50 per hour. Future rate increases begin on January 1. The minimum wage increases scheduled
for 2025 ($13.50) and 2026 ($15.00) wil not become effective unless the Virginia General Assembly
reenacts these increases prior to July 1, 2024.
States with Scheduled Increases to $15.00 per Hour
As noted previously, on July 18, 2019, the House passed H.R. 582, which would increase the
federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025, index the rate to changes in the median hourly
wage, and phase out subminimum wages for tipped workers, youth, and individuals with
disabilities.15 Given the passage of H.R. 582 and the general interest of a $15 per hour minimum
wage, this section provides a brief summary of the states with minimum wages currently
scheduled to increase to $15 in the future. Currently nine states—California, Connecticut, Florida,
Il inois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia—and the District of
Columbia have scheduled increases to $15 per hour. Together, these states account for about 40%
of the total civilian labor force in 2020.
 California. Large employers (26 or more employees) wil be required to pay
$15.00 starting on January 1, 2022, with smal employers (25 employees or
fewer) required to pay $15.00 starting on January 1, 2023. Once the $15 rate is

15 For additional information, see CRS In Focus IF11282, Minimum Wages and the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582), by
David H. Bradley and Julie M. Whittaker.
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State Minimum Wages: An Overview

reached for al employees, annual adjustments to the minimum wage rate wil be
the lesser of the annual change in CPI-W or 3.5%, but the minimum wage cannot
be decreased even if the CPI-W is negative. Additional y, the Governor of
California is authorized to pause a scheduled increase for one year if certain
economic or budget conditions occur (these pauses are known as off-ramps). An
economic off-ramp requires that statewide job growth for the prior three or six
months and retail sales receipts for the prior 12 months be negative. A budgetary
off-ramp requires that an increase is projected to cause a negative operating
reserve of more than 1% of annual revenues in the state budget.
 Connecticut. The Connecticut minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $15.00
starting on June 1, 2023. Starting January 1, 2024, and annual y thereafter, the
adjustments to the minimum wage rate wil be the annual change in ECI for
wages and salaries of al civilian workers. Additional y, the Governor of
Connecticut is authorized to recommend to the General Assembly suspension of
a scheduled increase if there are two consecutive quarters of negative growth in
Connecticut’s real gross domestic product.
 District of Columbia. The District of Columbia minimum wage increased to
$15.00 per hour starting on July 1, 2020. Starting July 1, 2021, and annual y
thereafter, the adjustments to the minimum wage rate wil be the annual change
in CPI-U for the Washington MSA.
 Florida. The Florida minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $15.00 starting
on September 30, 2026. Starting January 1, 2028, and annual y thereafter, the
adjustments to the minimum wage rate wil be the annual change in CPI-W.
 Illinois. The Il inois minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $15.00 starting
on January 1, 2025.
 Maryland. Large employers (15 or more employees) wil be required to pay
$15.00 starting on January 1, 2025, with smal employers (14 employees or
fewer) required to pay $15.00 starting on July 1, 2026. Additional y, the
Maryland Board of Public Works (Board) is authorized to suspend a scheduled
increase for one year if the Board determines that total state employment in the
most recent six-month period decreased relative to the immediately preceding
six-month period. As part of its determination of suspending a minimum wage
increase, the Board may also consider the performance of state revenues in the
previous six-month period. The Board is authorized to make one suspension of a
rate increase during the period of increases to $15.00.
 Massachusetts. The Massachuset s minimum wage is scheduled to increase to
$15.00 starting on January 1, 2023.
 New Jersey. The New Jersey minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $15.00
starting on January 1, 2024. Starting January 1, 2025, and annual y thereafter, the
adjustments to the minimum wage rate wil be the annual change in CPI-W.
 New York. The state of New York has four minimum wage rates—large
employers in New York City; smal employers in New York City; the counties of
Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; and the remainder of the state. Large
employers (11 or more employees) in New York City were required to pay
$15.00 per hour as of December 31, 2018, and smal employers (10 or fewer
employees) in New York City as of December 31, 2019. Employers in Nassau,
Suffolk, and Westchester counties wil be required to pay $15.00 starting on
December 31, 2021. Employers in the remainder of New York wil be required to
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pay $12.50 on December 31, 2020. Thereafter, the minimum wage in the
remainder of the state is scheduled to be increased annual y based on changes in
the CPI-U, state personal income, and state wages until the rate reaches $15.00
per hour.
 Virginia. The Virginia minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $15.00 as of
January 1, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, and annual y thereafter, the
adjustments to the minimum wage rate wil be the annual change in CPI-U. The
minimum wage increases scheduled for 2025 ($13.50) and 2026 ($15.00) wil
not become effective unless the Virginia General Assembly reenacts these
increases prior to July 1, 2024.
Trends in State Minimum Wages
Because federal and state minimum wages do not change in regular intervals or by regular
increments, the number of states and the share of the labor force covered by higher minimum
wages changes annual y. In general, during periods in which the federal minimum wage remains
constant, more states enact higher minimum wages and the share of the workforce for which the
federal rate serves as the floor likewise decreases. When the federal rate increases, some state
rates become equal to or less than the federal rate.
While Table 2 presents a snapshot of minimum wage rates in the 30 states and the District of
Columbia with minimum wages above the federal rate from 2020 through 2026, Figure 3 shows
the changes in the coverage of the federal minimum wage.16 Specifical y, plots the percentage of
the civilian labor force residing in states in which the federal wage serves as the floor.17 If no state
had a minimum wage above the federal rate, then the federal minimum wage would be the floor
for states in which 100% of the labor force resides. Similarly, if every state had a minimum wage
above the current rate of $7.25, then the federal rate would not be binding for the labor force.
Instead the interaction of federal and state rates has led to the federal minimum wage playing a
fluctuating, but general y decreasing, role in establishing a wage floor for the civilian labor force,
particularly during periods in which the federal rate is not increased.

16 Because the prevailing federal minimum wage and state minimum wages go into effect at various points in a given
year, the analysis in this section considers the years before and after federal changes have gone into effect. T his is
because the number of states with higher minimum wages may be different on January 1 of a given year than on
December 31 of that same year. T o avoid complications of within -year changes, the summaries in this section are based
on rate increases that occurred any time during the year (e.g., the federal increase to $7.25 on July 24, 2009, is reflected
as a rate of $7.25 for all of 2009). In addition, unless otherwise noted in this section, the District of Columbia is
counted as a state for simplicity of presentation.
17 T he federal minimum wage is the floor for “covered workers” (see previous discussion on enterprise and individual
coverage) in these states. Generally, the great majority of workers are covered. For those who are not covered, the state
minimum wage is likely to be the wage floor.
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State Minimum Wages: An Overview

Figure 3. How Binding is the Federal Minimum Wage?
The Share of the U.S. Labor Force Residing in States with the Federal Minimum Wage as the Floor

Source: CRS analysis of Tax Policy Center, State Minimum Wage Rates: 1983-2014, Washington, DC,
http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=603; U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour
Division, Changes in Basic Minimum Wages in Non-Farm Employment Under State Law: Selected Years 1968-2013,
Washington, DC, http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/stateMinWageHis.htm, and Bureau of Labor Statistics, Monthly
Labor Review, Washington, DC, multiple years.
Notes: Prior to 1993, the District of Columbia did not have a broad minimum wage covering the general
population. Thus for periods prior to 1993, this report uses a weighted average of occupation -specific minimum
wages, as reported in David Neumark and Olena Nizalova, Minimum Wage Effects in the Longer Run, National
Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 10656, Cambridge, MA, March 2006, http://www.nber.org/papers/
w10656. Based on this data, the District of Columbia has maintained a minimum wage above the federal rate for
the entire 1983-2020 period.

Examining the specific time periods around changes in the federal minimum wage (see Figure 1
for the history of federal minimum wage rate changes), data in show a general trend toward a
lower share of the labor force being covered by the federal minimum wage only. Federal rate
increases in 2007 through 2009 mitigated this reduction, as did earlier changes in the federal rate.
 In the period from 1983 through 1989, the federal minimum wage remained
constant at $3.35 per hour. Prior to the federal increases in 1990 and 1991, the
number of states with higher minimum wages rose from 3 in 1984 to 16 in 1989
and the share of the U.S. civilian labor force in states for which the federal rate
was the floor fel from 98% to 70%.
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State Minimum Wages: An Overview

 Following a two-step federal increase in 1990 and 1991 from $3.35 to $4.25 per
hour, the number of states with higher minimum wages fel to 8 in 1992, which
meant that the federal rate was the floor for states comprising 92% of the civilian
labor force.
 The next federal minimum wage increase occurred in two steps in 1996 and
1997, increasing from $4.25 to $5.15 per hour. Prior to that increase, in 1995,
there were 10 states, representing 10% of the civilian labor force, with minimum
wages above the federal rate. After the second increase in 1997, the number of
states with higher minimum wages dropped to 8, but the share of the labor force
in states for which the federal rate served as a floor decreased to 82%.
 The federal minimum wage did not increase after 1997 until 2007. During much
of that period the number of states with higher minimum wages stayed somewhat
steady, increasing from 8 (comprising 18% of the civilian labor force) in 1998 to
12 (comprising 21% of the civilian labor force) in 2003. However, by 2006, 22
states representing 50% of the civilian labor force had minimum wage rates
above the federal rate. This increase was due in part to a few populous states,
such as Florida, Michigan, and New York, adopting minimum wage rates above
the federal rate in this period.
 Following the three-step increase in the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to the
current $7.25 (2007-2009), 15 states, comprising 33% of the civilian labor force,
had rates above the federal minimum wage in 2010. By 2021, this rose to 30
states and the District of Columbia, which means that the federal rate is the wage
floor in states representing 39% of the civilian labor force.
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Appendix. Selected Characteristics of State
Minimum Wage Policies
For the 30 states and the District of Columbia with state minimum wage rates above the federal
rate as of 2021, Table 2 and much of the text above summarizes information on those states’
minimum wage policies, highlighting minimum wage rates and mechanisms used to establish and
adjust wage rates. As discussed previously, for those states with current or scheduled minimum
wages above the federal rate, three main mechanisms are in place to adjust future rates: (1)
scheduled increases, (2) indexation to inflation, or (3) reference to the federal rate plus an add-on
(i.e., a state minimum wage is a percentage or dollar amount above the federal rate). For the 20
states with minimum wage rates equal to or below the federal rate, however, there are no
mechanisms in place to move rates above the federal rate. Thus, the main difference within this
group of states is the relationship of the state rate, if any, to the federal rate.
For those 20 states with minimum wages equal to or below the federal rate, the state rate may be
set in four ways:18
 No state minimum wage provisions: In five states—Alabama, Louisiana,
Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee—there are no provisions for state
minimum wage rates. In practice, this means that most workers in these states are
covered by the FLSA minimum wage provisions since coverage is general y
broad.
 State minimum wage provisions with no reference to the FLSA: Five states have
state minimum wage rates but do not reference the FLSA. Two of these states—
Georgia and Wyoming—have state rates below $7.25, while three of these
states—Kansas, North Dakota, and Wisconsin—have rates equal to $7.25.
However, because there is no reference to the FLSA rate or other provision for
adjustment in any of these states, the state rate does not change unless the state
policy is changed.
 State minimum wage equals the FLSA rate: Five states—Idaho, Indiana, New
Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Texas—set the state rate equal to the FLSA rate.
Thus, when the FLSA rate changes, the state rates in these five states change to
equal the FLSA rate.
 State minimum wage equals FLSA rate if FLSA is greater: In four states—Iowa,
Kentucky, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania—the state rate is specified
separately but includes a provision to equal the FLSA rate if the latter is above
the state specified rate.
Table A-1 provides detailed information about minimum wage policies in the 50 states and the
District of Columbia, including those summarized in a more concise manner in Table 2.

18 Utah does not fit entirely into any of the four categories. Utah state law authorizes the Utah Labor Commissioner to
set the state rate but prohibits the commissioner from setting a rate higher than the FLSA rate.
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Table A-1. Selected State Minimum Wage Policies
As of January 1, 2021 (unless otherwise noted)

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Alabama
No state minimum wage law

n/a
Alaska
Alaska Statute 23.10.065

“(a) Except as otherwise provided for in law, an employer shal pay to each employee a minimum wage, as established
herein, for hours worked in a pay period, whether the work is measured by time, piece, commission or otherwise. An
employer may not apply tips or gratuities bestowed upon employees as a credit toward payment of the minimum
hourly wage required by this section. Tip credit as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 as amendment does
not apply to the minimum wage established by this section. Beginning with the passage of this Act, the minimum wage
shal be $8.75 per hour effective January 1, 2015, $9.75 per hour effective January 1, 2016 and thereafter adjusted
annual y for inflation. The adjustment shal be calculated each September 30, for the proceeding January-December
calendar year, by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, using 100 percent of the rate of
inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for al urban consumers for the Anchorage metropolitan area, compiled
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor; the department shal round the adjusted
minimum hourly wage up to the nearest one cent; the adjusted minimum hourly wage shal apply to work performed
beginning on January 1 through December 31 of the year for which it is effective.
(d)If the minimum wage determined under (a) of this section is less than one dol ar over the federal minimum wage, the
Alaska minimum wage shal be set at one dol ar over the federal minimum wage. This amount shal be adjusted in
subsequent years by the method established in (a) of this section.”
Arizona
Arizona Revised Statutes, 23-363

“A. Employers shal pay employees no less than the minimum wage, which shal be not less than:
1. $10 on and after January 1, 2017.
2. $10.50 on and after January 1, 2018.
3. $11 on and after January 1, 2019.
4. $12 on and after January 1, 2020.
B. The minimum wage shal be increased on January 1, 2021 and on January 1 of successive years, by the increase in the
cost of living. The increase in the cost of living shal be measured by the percentage increase as of August of the
immediately preceding year over the level as of August of the previous year of the consumer price index (al urban
consumers, U.S. city average for al items) or its successor index as published by the U.S. department of labor or its
successor agency, with the amount of the minimum wage increase rounded to the nearest multiple of five cents.”
Arkansas
Arkansas Code

“(a)(3) Beginning January 1, 2019, every employer shal pay each of his or her employees wages at the rate of not less
§ 11-4-210
than nine dol ars and twenty-five cents ($9.25) per hour, beginning January 1, 2020 the rate of not less than ten dol ars
($10.00) per hour and beginning January 1, 2021 the rate of not less than eleven dol ars ($11.00) per hour except as
otherwise provided in this subchapter.”
CRS-16

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
California
California Labor Code 1182.12

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, on and after July 1, 2014, the minimum wage for al industries shal
be not less than nine dol ars ($9.00) per hour, and on and after January 1, 2016, the minimum wage for al industries
shal be not less than ten dol ars ($10.00) per hour.
(1) For any employer who employs 26 or more employees, the minimum wage shal be as fol ows:
(A) From January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, inclusive,—ten dol ars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour.
(B) From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, inclusive,—eleven dol ars ($11) per hour. (C) From January 1,
2019, to December 31, 2019, inclusive,—twelve dol ars ($12) per hour. (D) From January 1, 2020, to December
31, 2020, inclusive,—thirteen dol ars ($13) per hour. (E) From January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021,
inclusive,—fourteen dol ars ($14) per hour. (F) From January 1, 2022, and until adjusted by subdivision (c)—
fifteen dol ars ($15) per hour.
(2) For any employer who employs 25 or fewer employees, the minimum wage shal be as fol ows:
(A) From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, inclusive,—ten dol ars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour.
(B) From January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019, inclusive,—eleven dol ars ($11) per hour. (C) From January 1,
2020, to December 31, 2020, inclusive,—twelve dol ars ($12) per hour. (D) From January 1, 2021, to December
31, 2021, inclusive—thirteen dol ars ($13) per hour. (E) From January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022,
inclusive,—fourteen dol ars ($14) per hour. (F) From January 1, 2023, and until adjusted by subdivision (c)—
fifteen dol ars ($15) per hour.
c) (1) Fol owing the implementation of the minimum wage increase specified in subparagraph (F) of paragraph (2) of
subdivision (b), on or before August 1 of that year, and on or before each August 1 thereafter, the Director of Finance
shal calculate an adjusted minimum wage. The calculation shal increase the minimum wage by the lesser of 3.5 percent
and the rate of change in the averages of the most recent July 1 to June 30, inclusive, period over the preceding July 1
to June 30, inclusive, period for the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics nonseasonal y adjusted United States
Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners.”
Colorado
Colorado Constitution, Art.

“Effective January 1, 2017, Colorado’s minimum wage is increased to $ 9.30 per hour and is increased annual y by $
XVIII, Section 15
0.90 each January 1 until it reaches $ 12 per hour effective January 2020, and thereafter is adjusted annual y for cost of
living increases, as measured by the Consumer Price Index used for Colorado. This minimum wage shal be paid to
employees who receive the state or federal minimum wage.”
CRS-17

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Connecticut
Connecticut State Statutes

“…effective January 1, 2014, not less than eight dol ars and seventy cents per hour, and effective January 1, 2015, not
Section 31-58
less than nine dol ars and fifteen cents per hour, and effective January 1, 2016, not less than nine dol ars and sixty cents
per hour, and effective January 1, 2017, not less than ten dol ars and ten cents per hour, and effective October 1, 2019,
not less than eleven dol ars per hour, and effective September 1, 2020, not less than twelve dol ars per hour, and
effective August 1, 2021, not less than thirteen dol ars per hour, and effective July 1, 2022, not less than fourteen
dol ars per hour, and effective June 1, 2023, not less than fifteen dol ars per hour. On October 15, 2023, and on each
October fifteenth thereafter, the Labor Commissioner shal announce the adjustment in the minimum fair wage which
shal become the new minimum fair wage and shal be effective on January first immediately fol owing. On January 1,
2024, and not later than each January first thereafter, the minimum fair wage shal be adjusted by the percentage change
in the employment cost index, or its successor index, for wages and salaries for al civilian workers, as calculated by the
United States Department of Labor, over the twelve-month period ending on June thirtieth of the preceding year,
rounded to the nearest whole cent.”
Delaware
Delaware Code Title

“(a) Except as may otherwise be provided under this chapter, every employer shal pay to every employee in any
19-902
occupation wages of a rate:
(1) Not less than $7.75 per hour effective June 1, 2014; and
(2) Not less than $8.25 per hour effective June 1, 2015;
(3) Not less than $8.75 per hour effective January 1, 2019;
(4) Not less than $9.25 per hour effective October 1, 2019.
Upon the establishment of a federal minimum wage in excess of the state minimum wage, the minimum wage in this
State shal be equal in amount to the federal minimum wage, except as may otherwise be provided under this chapter.”
The District of
D.C. Code Section 32-1003

Columbia
“(5)(A) Except as provided in subsection (h) of this section and subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the minimum hourly
wage required to be paid to an employee by an employer shal be as of:
(i) July 1, 2016: $11.50;
(i ) July 1, 2017: $12.50;
(i i) July 1, 2018: $13.25;
(iv) July 1, 2019: $14.00; and
(v) July 1, 2020: $15.00.
(B) If the minimum wage set by the United States government pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (”U.S.
minimum wage”) is greater than the minimum hourly wage currently being paid pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph, the minimum hourly wage paid to an employee by an employer shal be the U.S. minimum wage plus $1.
(6)(A) Except as provided in subsection (h) of this section, beginning on July 1, 2021, and no later than July 1 of each
successive year, the minimum wage provided in this subsection shal be increased in proportion to the annual average
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for Al Urban Consumers in the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the previous calendar year.
Any increase under this paragraph shal be adjusted to the nearest multiple of $.05.”
CRS-18

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Florida
Florida Labor Statute 448-110

“Beginning September 30, 2005, and annual y on September 30 thereafter, the Department of Economic Opportunity
(4)(a)
shal calculate an adjusted state minimum wage rate by increasing the state minimum wage by the rate of inflation for

the 12 months prior to September 1. In calculating the adjusted state minimum wage, the Department of Economic
Opportunity shal use the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, not seasonal y
Florida, Constitutional
adjusted, for the South Region or a successor index as calculated by the United States Department of Labor. Each
Amendment 2, Article X, Section
adjusted state minimum wage rate shal take effect on the fol owing January 1, with the initial adjusted minimum wage
24
rate to take effect on January 1, 2006."

(Constitutional Amendment 2, Effective September 30, 2021)
Florida Constitution, Article X,
“Effective September 30th, 2021, the existing state Minimum Wage shal increase to $10.00 per hour, and then increase
Section 24
each September 30th thereafter by $1.00 per hour, until the Minimum Wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September

30th, 2026. On September 30th of 2027 that year and on each fol owing September 30th, the state Agency for
Workforce Innovation shal calculate an adjusted Minimum Wage rate by increasing the current Minimum Wage rate by
the rate of inflation during the twelve months prior to each September 1st using the consumer price index for urban
wage earners and clerical workers, CPI-W, or a successor index as calculated by the United States Department of
Labor. Each adjusted Minimum Wage rate calculated shal be published and take effect on the fol owing January 1st.”
Georgia
Georgia Code 34-4-3

“(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, every employer, whether a person, firm, or corporation, shal
pay to al covered employees a minimum wage which shal be not less than $5.15 per hour for each hour worked in the
employment of such employer.”
Hawai
Hawai Revised Statutes 387-2

“(a) Except as provided in section 387-9 and this section, every employer shal pay to each employee employed by the
employer, wages at the rate of not less than:
(1) $6.25 per hour beginning January 1, 2003;
(2) $6.75 per hour beginning January 1, 2006;
(3) $7.25 per hour beginning January 1, 2007;
(4) $7.75 per hour beginning January 1, 2015;
(5) $8.50 per hour beginning January 1, 2016;
(6) $9.25 per hour beginning January 1, 2017; and
(7) $10.10 per hour beginning January 1, 2018.”
Idaho
Idaho Statutes 44-1502

“MINIMUM WAGES. (1) Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, no employer shal pay to any of his employees any
wages computed at a rate of less than seven dol ars and twenty-five cents ($7.25) per hour for employment. The
amount of the minimum wage shal conform to, and track with, the federal minimum wage.
4) No political subdivision of this state, as defined by section 6-902, Idaho Code, shal establish by ordinance or other
action minimum wages higher than the minimum wages provided in this section.”
CRS-19

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Il inois
Il inois Compiled Statutes 820-

“From July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2019 every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who is 18
105/4
years of age or older in every occupation wages of not less than $8.25 per hour, and from January 1, 2020 through June
30, 2020, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who is 18 years of age or older in every occupation
wages of not less than $9.25 per hour, and from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 every employer shal pay to
each of his or her employees who is 18 years of age or older in every occupation wages of not less than $10 per hour,
and from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who is
18 years of age or older in every occupation wages of not less than $11 per hour, and from January 1, 2022 through
December 31, 2022 every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who is 18 years of age or older in every
occupation wages of not less than $12 per hour, and from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 every employer
shal pay to each of his or her employees who is 18 years of age or older in every occupation wages of not less than
$13 per hour, and from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, every employer shal pay to each of his or her
employees who is 18 years of age or older in every occupation wages of not less than $14 per hour; and on and after
January 1, 2025, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who is 18 years of age or older in every
occupation wages of not less than $15 per hour."
Indiana
Indiana Code 22-2-2-4

“(h) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (j), every employer employing at least two (2) employees during a work
week shal , in any work week in which the employer is subject to this chapter, pay each of the employees in any work
week beginning on or after June 30, 2007, wages of not less than the minimum wage payable under the federal Fair
Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.).”
Iowa
Iowa Code 91D.1

“1. a. The state hourly wage shal be at least $6.20 as of April 1, 2007, and $7.25 as of January 1, 2008.
b. Every employer, as defined in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended to January 1, 2007, shal pay
to each of the employer’s employees, as defined in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended to January
1, 2007, the state hourly wage stated in paragraph "a", or the current federal minimum wage, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. §
206, as amended, whichever is greater.”
Kansas
Kansas Statute 44-1203

“Except as otherwise provided in the minimum wage and maximum hours law, every employer shal pay to each
employee wages at a rate as fol ows:
(1) Prior to January 1, 2010, employee wages shal be paid at a rate of not less than $2.65 an hour; and
(2) on and after January 1, 2010, employee wages shal be paid at a rate of not less than $7.25 an hour.”
Kentucky
Kentucky Revised Code 337.275

“Except as may otherwise be provided by this chapter, every employer shal pay to each o f his employees wages at a
rate of not less than five dol ars and eighty-five cents ($5.85) an hour beginning on June 26, 2007, not less than six
dol ars and fifty-five cents ($6.55) an hour beginning July 1, 2008, and not less than seven dol ars and twenty-five cents
($7.25) an hour beginning July 1, 2009. If the federal minimum hourly wage as prescribed by 29 U.S.C. sec. 206(a)(1) is
increased in excess of the minimum hourly wage in effect under this subsection, the minimum hourly wage under this
subsection shal be increased to the same amount, effective on the same date as the federal minimum hourly wage
rate.”
Louisiana
No state minimum wage law

n/a
CRS-20

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Maine
Maine Revised Statutes 26,

“1. Minimum wage. The minimum hourly wage is $7.50 per hour. Starting January 1, 2017, the minimum hourly wage is
Section 664 (1)
$9.00 per hour; starting January 1, 2018, the minimum hourly wage is $10.00 per hour; starting January 1, 2019, the
minimum hourly wage is $11.00 per hour; and starting January 1, 2020, the minimum hourly wage is $12.00 per hour.
On January 1, 2021 and each January 1st thereafter, the minimum hourly wage then in effect must be increased by the
increase, if any, in the cost of living. The increase in the cost of living must be measured by the percentage increase, if
any, as of August of the previous year over the level as of August of the year preceding that year in the Consumer
Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, CPI-W, for the Northeast Region, or its successor index,
as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics or its successor agency, with the
amount of the minimum wage increase rounded to the nearest multiple of 5¢. If the highest federal minimum wage is
increased in excess of the minimum wage in effect under this section, the minimum wage under this section is increased
to the same amount, effective on the same date as the increase in the federal minimum wage, and must be increased in
accordance with this section thereafter.”
CRS-21

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Maryland
Maryland Labor and Employment

§3–413.
Code 3-413
(a)(1) In this section the fol owing words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Employer” includes a governmental unit.
(3) “Smal employer” means an employer that employs 14 or fewer employees.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section and §§ 3–413.1 and 3–414 of this subtitle, each employer
shal pay:
(1) to each employee who is subject to both the federal Act and this subtitle, at least the greater of:
(i) the minimum wage for that employee under the federal Act; or
(i ) the State minimum wage set under subsection (c) of this section; and
(2) to each other employee who is subject to this subtitle, at least the greater of:
(i) the highest minimum wage under the federal Act; or
(i ) the State minimum wage set under subsection (c) of this section.
(c)(1) Subject to § 3–413.1 of this subtitle and except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State
minimum wage rate is:
(i) for the 12–month period beginning July 1, 2017, $9.25 per hour;
(i ) for the 18–month period beginning July 1, 2018, $10.10 per hour;
(i i) for the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2020, $11.00 per hour;
(iv) for the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2021, $11.75 per hour;
(v) for the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2022, $12.50 per hour;
(vi) for the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2023, $13.25 per hour;
(vi ) for the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2024, $14.00 per hour; and
(vi i) beginning January 1, 2025, $15.00 per hour.
(2) Subject to § 3–413.1 of this subtitle, the State minimum wage rate for a smal employer is:
(i) for the 18–month period beginning July 1, 2018, $10.10 per hour;
(i ) the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2020, $11.00 per hour;
(i i) the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2021, $11.60 per hour;
(iv) the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2022, $12.20 per hour;
(v) for the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2023, $12.80 per hour;
(vi) the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2024, $13.40 per hour;
(vi ) for the 12–month period beginning January 1, 2025, $14.00 per hour;
(vi i) the 6–month period beginning January 1, 2026, $14.60 per hour; and
(ix) Beginning July 1, 2026, $15.00 per hour.
CRS-22

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Massachusetts
Massachusetts General Laws

[Text of section as amended by 2018, 121, Sec. 18 effective January 1, 2020 until January 1, 2021. See 2018, 121, Sec. 32. ...
Chapter 151, Section 1
For text effective January 1, 2021, see below.]

Section 1. It is hereby declared to be against public policy for any employer to employ any person in an
occupation in this commonwealth at an oppressive and unreasonable wage as defined in section two, and any
contract, agreement or understanding for or in relation to such employment shal be null and void. A wage of less
than $12.75 per hour, in any occupation, as defined in this chapter, shal conclusively be presumed to be
oppressive and unreasonable, wherever the term ' minimum wage' is used in this chapter, unless the
commissioner has expressly approved or shal expressly approve the establishment and payment of a lesser wage
under the provisions of sections seven and nine. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, in no case shal
the minimum wage rate be less than $.50 higher than the effective federal minimum rate.

[Text…effective January 1, 2021 until January 1, 2022.]
Section 1…. A wage of less than $13.50

[Text…effective January 1, 2022 until January 1, 2023.]
Section 1…. A wage of less than $14.25

[Text…effective January 1, 2023]
Section 1…. A wage of less than $15.00.
CRS-23

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Michigan
Michigan Compiled Laws 408.934
Sec. 4.
(1) Subject to the exceptions specified in this act, the minimum hourly wage rate is:
(a) Before September 1, 2014, $7.40.
(b) Beginning September 1, 2014, $8.15.
(c) Beginning January 1, 2016, $8.50.
(d) Beginning January 1, 2017, $8.90.
(e) Beginning January 1, 2018, $9.25.
(f) In calendar year 2019, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $9.45.
(g) In calendar year 2020, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $9.65.
(h) In calendar year 2021, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $9.87.
(i) In calendar year 2022, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $10.10.
(j) In calendar year 2023, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $10.33.
(k) In calendar year 2024, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $10.56.
(l) In calendar year 2025, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $10.80.
(m) In calendar year 2026, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $11.04.
(n) In calendar year 2027, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $11.29.
(o) In calendar year 2028, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $11.54.
(p) In calendar year 2029, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $11.79.
(q) In calendar year 2030, or a subsequent calendar year as described in subsection (2), $12.05.
(2) An increase in the minimum hourly wage rate as prescribed in subsection (1) does not take effect if the
unemployment rate for this state, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor,
is 8.5% or greater for the calendar year preceding the calendar year of the prescribed increase. An increase in the
minimum hourly wage rate as prescribed in subsection (1) that does not take effect pursuant to this subsection takes
effect in the first calendar year fol owing a calendar year for which the unemployment rate for this state, as determined
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, is less than 8.5%.”
CRS-24

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Minnesota
Minnesota Statutes 177.24

“(a) For purposes of this subdivision, the terms defined in this paragraph have the meanings given them.
(1) ‘Large employer’ means an enterprise whose annual gross volume of sales made or business done is not less
than $500,000 (exclusive of excise taxes at the retail level that are separately stated) and covered by the
Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act, sections 177.21 to 177.35.
(2) ‘Smal employer’ means an enterprise whose annual gross volume of sales made or business done is less than
$500,000 (exclusive of excise taxes at the retail level that are separately stated) and covered by the Minnesota
Fair Labor Standards Act, sections 177.21 to 177.35.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in sections 177.21 to 177.35:
(1) every large employer must pay each employee wages at a rate of at least:
(i) $8.00 per hour beginning August 1, 2014;
(i ) $9.00 per hour beginning August 1, 2015;
(i i) $9.50 per hour beginning August 1, 2016; and
(iv) the rate established under paragraph (f) beginning January 1, 2018; and
(2) every smal employer must pay each employee at a rate of at least:
(i) $6.50 per hour beginning August 1, 2014;
(i ) $7.25 per hour beginning August 1, 2015;
(i i) $7.75 per hour beginning August 1, 2016; and
(iv) the rate established under paragraph (f) beginning January 1, 2018.
(f) No later than August 31 of each year, beginning in 2017, the commissioner shal determine the percentage increase
in the rate of inflation, as measured by the implicit price deflator, national data for personal consumption expenditures
as determined by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis during the 12-month
period immediately preceding that August or, if that data is unavailable, during the most recent 12-month period for
which data is available. The minimum wage rates in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) are increased by the lesser of: (1) 2.5
percent, rounded to the nearest cent; or (2) the percentage calculated by the commissioner, rounded to the nearest
cent. A minimum wage rate shal not be reduced under this paragraph. The new minimum wage rates determined
under this paragraph take effect on the next January 1.”
Mississippi
No state minimum wage law

n/a
CRS-25

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Missouri
Missouri Revised Statutes

“2. The minimum wage shal be increased or decreased on January 1, 2008, and on January 1 of successive years, by the
290.502
increase or decrease in the cost of living. On September 30, 2007, and on each September 30 of each successive year,
the director shal measure the increase or decrease in the cost of living by the percentage increase or decrease as of
the preceding July over the level as of July of the immediately preceding year of the Consumer Price Index for Urban
Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or successor index as published by the U.S. Department of Labor or its
successor agency, with the amount of the minimum wage increase or decrease rounded to the nearest five cents."
3. Except as may be otherwise provided pursuant to sections 290.500 to 290.530, and notwithstanding subsection 1*
of this section, effective January 1, 2019, every employer shal pay to each employee wages at the rate of not less than
$8.60 per hour, or wages at the same rate or rates set under the provisions of federal law as the prevailing federal
minimum wage applicable to those covered jobs in interstate commerce, whichever rate per hour is higher.
Thereafter, the minimum wage established by this subsection shal be increased each year by $.85 per hour, effective
January 1 of each of the next four years, until it reaches $12.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2023. Thereafter, the
minimum wage established by this subsection shal be increased or decreased on January 1, 2024, and on January 1 of
successive years, per the method set forth in subsection 2** of this section. If at any time the federal minimum wage
rate is above or is thereafter increased above the minimum wage then in effect under this subsection, the minimum
wage required by this subsection shal continue to be increased pursuant to this subsection ***, but the higher federal
rate shal immediately become the minimum wage required by this subsection and shal be increased or decreased per
the method set forth in subsection 2** for so long as it remains higher than the state minimum wage required and
increased pursuant to this subsection.
Montana
Montana Code Annotated 39-3-

“(1) The minimum wage, except as provided in subsection (3), must be the greater of either:
409
(a) the minimum hourly wage rate as provided under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
206(a)(1)), excluding the value of tips received by the employee and the special provisions for a training wage; or
(b) $6.15 an hour, excluding the value of tips received by the employee and the special provisions for a training
wage.
(2)(a) The minimum wage is subject to a cost-of-living adjustment, as provided in subsection (2)(b).
(b) No later than September 30 of each year, an adjustment of the wage amount specified in subsection (1) must
be made based upon the increase, if any, from August of the preceding year to August of the year in which the
calculation is made in the consumer price index, U.S. city average, al urban consumers, for al items, as published
by the bureau of labor statistics of the United States department of labor.
(c) The wage amount established under this subsection (2):
(i) must be rounded to the nearest 5 cents; and
(i ) becomes effective as the new minimum wage, replacing the dol ar figure specified in subsection (1), on
January 1 of the fol owing year.
(3) The minimum wage rate for a business whose annual gross sales are $110,000 or less is $4 an hour.”

CRS-26

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Nebraska
Nebraska Revised Statutes 48-

“Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 48-1203.01, every employer shal pay to each of his or her
1203
employees a minimum wage of:
(a) Seven dol ars and twenty-five cents per hour through December 31, 2014;
(b) Eight dol ars per hour on and after January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015; and
(c) Nine dol ars per hour on and after January 1, 2016.”
CRS-27

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Nevada
Nevada Revised Statutes 608.250

“Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 48-1203.01, every employer shal pay to each of his or her
employees a minimum wage of:

(a) Seven dol ars and twenty-five cents per hour through December 31, 2014;
Nevada Constitution Article 15
(b) Eight dol ars per hour on and after January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015; and
Sect. 16
(c) Nine dol ars per hour on and after January 1, 2016.”

Each employer shal pay to each employee of the employer a wage of not less than:
(a) Beginning July 1, 2019:

(1) If the employer offers health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of Article
15 of the Nevada Constitution, $7.25 per hour worked.
(2) If the employer does not offer health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of
Article 15 of the Nevada Constitution, $8.25 per hour worked.
(b) Beginning July 1, 2020:
(1) If the employer offers health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of Article
15 of the Nevada Constitution, $8.00 per hour worked.
(2) If the employer does not offer health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of
Article 15 of the Nevada Constitution, $9.00 per hour worked.
(c) Beginning July 1, 2021:
(1) If the employer offers health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of Article
15 of the Nevada Constitution, $8.75 per hour worked.
(2) If the employer does not offer health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of
Article 15 of the Nevada Constitution, $9.75 per hour worked.
(d) Beginning July 1, 2022:
(1) If the employer offers health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of Article
15 of the Nevada Constitution, $9.50 per hour worked.
(2) If the employer does not offer health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of
Article 15 of the Nevada Constitution, $10.50 per hour worked.
(e) Beginning July 1, 2023:
(1) If the employer offers health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of Article
15 of the Nevada Constitution, $10.25 per hour worked.
(2) If the employer does not offer health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of
Article 15 of the Nevada Constitution, $11.25 per hour worked.
(f) Beginning July 1, 2024:
(1) If the employer offers health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of Article
15 of the Nevada Constitution, $11.00 per hour worked.
(2) If the employer does not offer health benefits to the employee in the manner described in Section 16 of Article 15
of the Nevada Constitution, $12.00 per hour worked.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Revised Statutes

“Unless otherwise provided by statute, no person, firm, or corporation shal employ any employee at an hourly rate
279:21
lower than that set forth in the federal minimum wage law, as amended.”
CRS-28

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
New Jersey
New Jersey Legislative Statutes

“5. a. Except as provided in subsections c., d., e. and g. of this section, each employer shal pay to each of his
34:11-56a4
employees wages at a rate of not less than $8.85 per hour as of January 1, 2019 and, on January 1 of 2020 and January
1 of each subsequent year, the minimum wage shal be increased by any increase in the consumer price index for al
urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) as calculated by the federal government for the 12 months prior to
the September 30 preceding that January 1, except that any of the fol owing rates shal apply if it exceeds the rate
determined in accordance with the applicable increase in the CPI-W for the indicated year: on July 1, 2019, the
minimum wage shal be $10.00 per hour; on January 1, 2020, the minimum wage shal be $11.00 per hour; and on
January 1 of each year from 2021 to 2024, inclusive, the minimum wage shal be increased from the rate of the
preceding year by $1.00 per hour. If the federal minimum hourly wage rate set by section 6 of the federal "Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938" (29 U.S.C. s.206), or a successor federal law, is raised to a level higher than the State minimum
wage rate set by this subsection, then the State minimum wage rate shal be increased to the level of the federal
minimum wage rate and subsequent increases based on increases in the CPI-W pursuant to this section shal be applied
to the higher minimum wage rate.
New Mexico
New Mexico Statutes 50-4-22

A. Except as provided in Subsection B or D of this section, an employer shal pay to an employee a minimum wage
rate of:
(1) prior to January 1, 2020, at least seven dol ars fifty cents ($7.50) an hour;
(2) beginning January 1, 2020 and prior to January 1, 2021, at least nine dol ars ($9.00) an hour;
(3) beginning January 1, 2021 and prior to January 1, 2022, at least ten dol ars fifty cents ($10.50) an hour;
(4) beginning January 1, 2022 and prior to January 1, 2023, at least eleven dol ars fifty cents ($11.50) an hour; and
(5) on and after January 1, 2023, at least twelve dol ars ($12.00) an hour.
CRS-29

New York
New York Labor Law, Minimum

(a) New York City.
Wage Act, Article 19, Section
(i) Large employers. Every employer of eleven or more employees shal pay to each of its employees for each
652
hour worked in the city of New York a wage of not less than:
…
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2018, or, if greater, such other wage as may be established by federal
law pursuant to 29 U.S.C. section 206 or its successors or such other wage as may be established in accordance
with the provisions of this article.
(i ) Smal employers. Every employer of ten or less employees shal pay to each of its employees for each hour
worked in the city of New York a wage of not less than:
..
$13.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2018,
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2019, or, if greater, such other wage as may be established by federal
law pursuant to 29 U.S.C. section 206 or its successors or such other wage as may be established in accordance
with the provisions of this article.
(b) Remainder of downstate.
Every employer shal pay to each of its employees for each hour worked in the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and
Westchester a wage not less than:
..
$12.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2018,
$13.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2019,
$14.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2020,
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2021,
or, if greater, such other wage as may be established by federal law pursuant to 29 U.S.C. section 206 or its
successors or such other wage as may be established in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(c) Remainder of state.
Every employer shal pay to each of its employees for each hour worked outside of the city of New York and the
counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester, a wage of not less than:
..
$11.10 on and after December 31, 2018,
$11.80 on and after December 31, 2019,
$12.50 on and after December 31, 2020,
and on each fol owing December thirty-first, a wage published by the commissioner on or before October first,
based on the then current minimum wage increased by a percentage determined by the director of the budget in
consultation with the commissioner, with the result rounded to the nearest five cents, totaling no more than
fifteen dol ars, where the percentage increase shal be based on indices including, but not limited to,
(i) the rate of inflation for the most recent twelve month period ending June of that year based on the consumer
price index for al urban consumers on a national and seasonal y unadjusted basis (CPI-U), or a successor index
as calculated by the United States department of labor,
(i ) the rate of state personal income growth for the prior calendar year, or a successor index, published by the bureau
of economic analysis of the United States department of commerce, or (i i) wage growth; or, if greater, such other
wage as may be established by federal law pursuant to 29 U.S.C. section 206 or its successors or such other wage
as may be established in accordance with the provisions of this article.
North Carolina
North Carolina General Statutes

“Every employer shal pay to each employee who in any workweek performs any work, wages of at least six dol ars and
95-25.3
fifteen cents ($6.15) per hour or the minimum wage set forth in paragraph 1 of section 6(a) of the Fair Labor Standards
CRS-30

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Act, 29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1), as that wage may change from time to time, whichever is higher, except as otherwise
provided in this section.”
North Dakota
North Dakota Code 34-06-22

“Except as otherwise provided under this chapter and rules adopted by the commissioner, every employer shal pay to
each of the employer’s employees:
a. Effective on the effective date of this section, a wage of at least five dol ars and eighty-five cents per hour;
b. Effective twelve months after the effective date of this section, a wage of at least six dol ars and fifty-five cents per
hour; and
c. Effective twenty-four months after the effective date of this section, a wage of at least seven dol ars and twenty-five
cents per hour.”
Ohio
Ohio Constitution 2.34a

“On the thirtieth day of each September, beginning in 2007, this state minimum wage rate shal be increased effective
the first day of the fol owing January by the rate of inflation for the twelve month period prior to that September
according to the consumer price index or its successor index for al urban wage earners and clerical workers for al
items as calculated by the federal government rounded to the nearest five cents."
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Statutes 40-197.2

“Except as otherwise provided in the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act, no employer within the State of Oklahoma shal
pay any employee a wage of less than the current federal minimum wage for al hours worked.”
CRS-31

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Oregon
Oregon Revised Statutes 653.025
“(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, ORS 652.020 and the rules of the Commissioner of
the Bureau of Labor and Industries issued under ORS 653.030 and 653.261, for each hour of work time that the
employee is gainfully employed, no employer shal employ or agree to employ any employee at wages computed at a
rate lower than:…
(f) From July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, $11.25.
(g) From July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, $12.
(h) From July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, $12.75.
(i) From July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, $13.50.
(j) After June 30, 2023, beginning on July 1 of each year, a rate adjusted annual y for inflation as described in
subsection (5) of this section.
(2) If the employer is located within the urban growth boundary of a metropolitan service district organized under
ORS chapter 268, …
(d) From July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, $12.50.
(e) From July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, $13.25.
(f) From July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, $14.
(g) From July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, $14.75.
(h) After June 30, 2023, $1.25 per hour more than the minimum wage determined under subsection (1)(j) of this
section.
(3) If the employer is located within a nonurban county as described in ORS 653.026…
(d) From July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, $11.
(e) From July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, $11.50.
(f) From July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, $12.
(g) From July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, $12.50.
(h) After June 30, 2023, $1 per hour less than the minimum wage determined under subsection (1)(j) of this
section.
(4) The commissioner shal adopt rules for determining an employer’s location under subsection (2) of this section.
(5)(a) The Oregon minimum wage shal be adjusted for inflation as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection.
(b) No later than April 30 of each year, beginning in 2023, the commissioner shal calculate an adjustment of the
wage amount specified in subsection (1)(j) of this section based upon the increase, if any, from March of the
preceding year to March of the year in which the calculation is made in the U.S. City Average Consumer Price
Index for Al Urban Consumers for Al Items as prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States
Department of Labor or its successor.
(c) The wage amount as adjusted under this subsection shal be rounded to the nearest five cents.
(d) The wage amount as adjusted under this subsection becomes effective as the new Oregon minimum wage
amount, replacing the minimum wage amount specified in subsection (1)(j) of this section, on July 1 of the year in
which the calculation is made.
CRS-32

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Statutes, 43 P.S.

“Except as may otherwise be provided under this act:
§333.104
(a) Every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees wages for al hours worked at a rate of not less than:
(1) Two dol ars sixty-five cents ($2.65) an hour upon the effective date of this amendment.
(2) Two dol ars ninety cents ($2.90) an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1979.
(3) Three dol ars ten cents ($3.10) an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1980.
(4) Three dol ars thirty-five cents ($3.35) an hour after December 31, 1980.
(5) Three dol ars seventy cents ($3.70) an hour beginning February 1, 1989, and thereafter.
(6) Five dol ars fifteen cents ($5.15) an hour beginning September 1, 1997.
(7) Six dol ars twenty-five cents ($6.25) an hour beginning January 1, 2007.
(8) Seven dol ars fifteen cents ($7.15) an hour beginning July 1, 2007.”
Rhode Island
Rhode Island General Laws

“(a) Every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees: commencing July 1, 1999, at least the minimum wage of
28-12-3
five dol ars and sixty five cents ($5.65) per hour. Commencing September 1, 2000, the minimum wage is six dol ars and
fifteen cents ($6.15) per hour.
(b) Commencing January 1, 2004, the minimum wage is six dol ars and seventy-five cents ($6.75) per hour.
(c) Commencing March 1, 2006, the minimum wage is seven dol ars and ten cents ($7.10) per hour.
(d) Commencing January 1, 2007, the minimum wage is seven dol ars and forty cents ($7.40) per hour.
(e) Commencing January 1, 2013, the minimum wage is seven dol ars and seventy-five cents ($7.75) per hour.
(f) Commencing January 1, 2014, the minimum wage is eight dol ars ($8.00) per hour.
(g) Commencing January 1, 2015, the minimum wage is nine dol ars ($9.00) per hour.
(h) Commencing January 1, 2016, the minimum wage is nine dol ars and sixty cents ($9.60) per hour.
(i) Commencing January 1, 2018, the minimum wage is ten dol ars and ten cents ($10.10) per hour.
(j) Commencing January 1, 2019, the minimum wage is ten dol ars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour.”
(k) Commencing October 1, 2020, the minimum wage is eleven dol ars and fifty cents ($11.50) per hour.
South
No state minimum wage law

n/a
Carolina
South Dakota
South Dakota Code 60-11-3; 11-

“Every employer shal pay to each employee wages at a rate of not less than eight dol ars and fifty cents an ho ur.”
3.2
“Beginning January 1, 2016, and again on January 1 of each year thereafter, the minimum wage provided by § 60-11-3
shal be adjusted by the increase, if any, in the cost of living. The increase in the cost of living shal be measured by the
percentage increase as of August of the immediately preceding year over the level as measured as of August of the
previous year of the Consumer Price Index (al urban consumers, U.S. city average for al items) or its successor index
as published by the U.S. Department of Labor or its successor agency, with the amount of the minimum wage increase,
if any, rounded up to the nearest five cents. In no case shal the minimum wage be decreased. The Secretary of the
South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation or its designee shal publish the adjusted minimum wage rate for
the forthcoming year on its internet home page by October 15 of each year, and it shal become effective on January 1
of the forthcoming year.”
Tennessee
No state minimum wage law

n/a
CRS-33

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Texas
Texas Labor Code Annotated

“Except as provided by Section 62.057, an employer shal pay to each employee the federal minimum wage under
62.051
Section 6, Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Section 206).”
Utah
Utah Code Annotated 34-40-103

“Minimum wage—Commission to review and modify minimum wage.
(1)(a) The minimum wage for al private and public employees within the state shal be $3.35 per hour.
(b) Effective April 1, 1990, the minimum wage shal be $3.80 per hour.
(2)(a) After July 1, 1990, the commission may by rule establish the minimum wage or wages as provided in this chapter
that may be paid to employees in public and private employment within the state.
(b) The minimum wage, as established by the commission, may not exceed the federal minimum wage as provided in 29
U.S.C. Sec. 201 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, in effect at the time of implementation of
this section.”
Vermont
Vermont Statutes Annotated, 21

“(a) An employer shal not employ any employee at a rate of less than $9.15. Beginning on January 1, 2016, an employer
Section 384
shal not employ any employee at a rate of less than $9.60. Beginning on January 1, 2017, an employer shal not employ
any employee at a rate of less than $10.00. Beginning on January 1, 2018, an employer shal not employ any employee
at a rate of less than $10.50, and beginning on January 1, 2019 and on each subsequent January 1, the minimum wage
rate shal be increased by five percent or the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index, CPI-U, U.S. city
average, not seasonal y adjusted, or successor index, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor or successor
agency for the 12 months preceding the previous September 1, whichever is smal er, but in no event shal the minimum
wage be decreased. The minimum wage shal be rounded off to the nearest $0.01.
…
If the minimum wage rate established by the U.S. government is greater than the rate established for Vermont for any
year, the minimum wage rate for that year shal be the rate established by the U.S. government.”
CRS-34

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Virginia
Virginia Code Annotated

“A. 1. Prior to May 1, 2021, every employer shal pay to each of its employees wages at a rate not less than the federal
40.1-28.10
minimum wage.
2. Beginning May 1, 2021, every employer shal pay to each of his employees at a rate not less than the federal
minimum wage or 75 percent of the Virginia minimum wage provided for in this section, whichever is greater. For
the purposes of this subdivision "employee" means any person or individual who is enrol ed in an established
employer on-the-job or other training program for a period not to exceed 90 days which meets standards set by
regulations adopted by the Commissioner.
B. From May 1, 2021, until January 1, 2022, every employer shal pay to each of its employees wages at a rate not less
than the greater of (i) $9.50 per hour or (i ) the federal minimum wage.
C. From January 1, 2022, until January 1, 2023, every employer shal pay to each of its employees wages at a rate not
less than the greater of (i) $11.00 per hour or (i ) the federal minimum wage.
D. From January 1, 2023, until January 1, 2025, every employer shal pay to each of its employees wages at a rate not
less than the greater of (i) $12.00 per hour or (i ) the federal minimum wage.
E. (For effective date, see Acts 2020, cc. 1204 and 1242) From January 1, 2025, until January 1, 2026, every employer
shal pay to each of its employees wages at a rate not less than the greater of (i) $13.50 per hour or (i ) the federal
minimum wage.
F. (For effective date, see Acts 2020, cc. 1204 and 1242) From January 1, 2026, until January 1, 2027, every employer
shal pay to each of its employees wages at a rate not less than the greater of (i) $15.00 per hour or (i ) the federal
minimum wage.
G. From and after January 1, 2027, every employer shal pay to each of his employees wages at a rate not less than the
greater of (i) the adjusted state hourly minimum wage or (i ) the federal minimum wage.
H. By October 1, 2026, and annual y thereafter, the Commissioner shal establish the adjusted state hourly minimum
wage that shal be in effect during the 12-month period commencing on the fol owing January 1. The Commissioner
shal set the adjusted state hourly minimum wage at the sum of (i) the amount of the state hourly minimum wage rate
that is in effect on the date such adjustment is made and (i ) a percentage of the amount described in clause (i) that is
equal to the percentage by which the United States Average Consumer Price Index for al items, al urban consumers
(CPI-U), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, or a successor index as
calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor, has increased during the most recent calendar year for which such
information is available. The amount of each annual adjustment shal not be less than zero.”
CRS-35

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Washington
Revised Code of Washington

“(1)(a) Beginning January 1, 2017, and until January 1, 2018, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees
49.46.020
who has reached the age of eighteen years wages at a rate of not less than eleven dol ars per hour.
(b) Beginning January 1, 2018, and until January 1, 2019, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who
has reached the age of eighteen years wages at a rate of not less than eleven dol ars and fifty cents per hour.
(c) Beginning January 1, 2019, and until January 1, 2020, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who
has reached the age of eighteen years wages at a rate of not less than twelve dol ars per hour.
(d) Beginning January 1, 2020, and until January 1, 2021, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who
has reached the age of eighteen years wages at a rate of not less than thirteen dol ars and fifty cents per hour.
(2)(a) Beginning on January 1, 2021, and each fol owing January 1st as set forth under (b) of this subsection, every
employer shal pay to each of his or her employees who has reached the age of eighteen years wages at a rate of not
less than the amount established under (b) of this subsection.
(b) On September 30, 2020, and on each fol owing September 30th, the department of labor and industries shal
calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate to maintain employee purchasing power by increasing the current year's
minimum wage rate by the rate of inflation. The adjusted minimum wage rate shal be calculated to the nearest cent
using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, CPI-W, or a successor index, for the
twelve months prior to each September 1st as calculated by the United States department of labor. Each adjusted
minimum wage rate calculated under this subsection (2)(b) takes effect on the fol owing January 1st.”
West Virginia
West Virginia Code 21-5C-2

“(a) Minimum wage:
(1) After June 30, 2006, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than $5.85
per hour.
(2) After June 30, 2007, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than $6.55
per hour.
(3) After June 30, 2008, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than $7.25
per hour.
(4) After December 31, 2014, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than
$8.00 per hour.
(5) After December 31, 2015, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than
$8.75 per hour.
(6) When the federal minimum hourly wage as prescribed by 29 U.S.C. §206 (a) (1) is equal to or greater than the wage
rate prescribed in the applicable provision of this subsection, every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees
wages at a rate of not less than the federal minimum hourly wage as prescribed by 29 U.S.C. §206 (a) (1). The minimum
wage rates required under this subsection shal be thereafter adjusted in accordance with adjustments made in the
federal minimum hourly rate.”
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Administrative Code

“This subsection is effective on July 24, 2009. Except as provided in ss. DWD 272.05 to 272.09, no employer may
272.03
employ any employee in any occupation, trade, or industry at a lesser hourly rate than as fol ows:
(a) Al employees except opportunity and minor employees $7.25 per hour.
(b) Minor employees $7.25 per hour.
(c) Opportunity employees $5.90 per hour.”
CRS-36

State Legislation
State
or Policy Citation
Pertinent Language and Notes
Wyoming
Wyoming Statutes Annotated 27-

“Every employer shal pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate of not less than five dol ars and fifteen ce nts
4-202
($5.15) per hour”
Source: Compiled by CRS from state statutes.
CRS-37

State Minimum Wages: An Overview

Author Information

David H. Bradley
Abigail R. Overbay
Specialist in Labor Economics
Senior Research Librarian

Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should n ot be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
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copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.

Congressional Research Service
R43792 · VERSION 20 · UPDATED
38