This web map, used in The Ever-Changing Minimum Wage Story Map Journal, comprises a selection of feature layers that provide an overview of minimum wages and policies for the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia, and 36 other localities (counties, cities). Essential data points include minimum wages effective in 2018, historical state minimum wages from 1968 through 2017 (adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars), comparative data with state living wages (2016 update), and benchmarks for future minimum wages where available. This data was digitized and compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Conference on State Legislatures, the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center, and MIT's Living Wage Calculator.The styling for this web map uses the composite geographies layout with a dark gray background. Composite geographies are a customized solution created by Esri's David Asbury in order to position Alaska and Hawaii adjacent to the contiguous United States within a Web Mercator projection web map. The dark theme is achieved with a dark gray feature layer that serves as a background to mask out the default background. For more information about using composite geographies, read this blog.

Minimum Wages in the United States remained unchanged at 7.25 USD/Hour in 2025 from 7.25 USD/Hour in 2024. This dataset provides - United States Minimum Wages- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (STTMINWGFG) from 1968 to 2025 about minimum wage, federal, wages, labor, rate, and USA.

State Minimum Wage Rate for California was 16.50000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for California reached a record high of 16.50000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 1.65000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for California - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

When adjusted for inflation, the 2024 federal minimum wage in the United States is over 40 percent lower than the minimum wage in 1970. Although the real dollar minimum wage in 1970 was only 1.60 U.S. dollars, when expressed in nominal 2024 dollars this increases to 13.05 U.S. dollars. This is a significant difference from the federal minimum wage in 2024 of 7.25 U.S. dollars.

This feature layer consists of the contiguous United States and District of Columbia, with Alaska and Hawaii. It comprises state minimum wage data for 2018, as well as historical data since 1968, and future data where available. The data was compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center, with living wage data from MIT's Living Wage Calculator. This layer uses the composite geographies layout to position Alaska and Hawaii adjacent to the contiguous United States.Attributes:

Field Name Unit Description

PeakMW Nominal dollar value Highest minimum wage value planned to be reached in future years (2019-2022)

PeakYR Year The year that the highest minimum wage value is planned to be reached (2019-2022)

DiffPeak2018 Nominal dollar value (difference) The difference between the peak minimum wage and the 2018 minimum wage (PeakMW - DiffPeak2018)

MW2018 Nominal dollar value 2018 state minimum wage

Increase2017 Nominal dollar value (difference) The difference between the 2018 minimum wage and the 2017 minimum wage (MW2018 - MW2017)

Increase2000 2017 dollar value (difference) The difference between the 2018 minimum wage and the 2000 minimum wage (MW2018-MW2000)

Effective2018 Nominal dollar value The minimum wage effective in 2018. For states with minimum wages below the federal minimum wage of $7.25, or for states that have no minimum wage requirement, the federal minimum wage applies.

LV2016 Nominal dollar value 2016 living wage for a single adult at the state level

DiffMWLV Nominal dollar value (difference) The difference between the 2018 minimum wage and the 2016 living wage

CurrentMW Category The type of minimum wage policy in place at the state level

PoliciesMW Text When a state has an indexed minimum wage, the type of policy is described here

Update2018 Category Yes = the state implemented an update to its minimum wage in 2018; No = no policy update in 2018

MW2017 Nominal dollar value 2017 minimum wage

MW2016 2017 dollar value 2016 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2015 2017 dollar value 2015 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2014 2017 dollar value 2014 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2013 2017 dollar value 2013 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2012 2017 dollar value 2012 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2011 2017 dollar value 2011 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2010 2017 dollar value 2010 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2009 2017 dollar value 2009 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2008 2017 dollar value 2008 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2007 2017 dollar value 2007 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2006 2017 dollar value 2006 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2005 2017 dollar value 2005 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2004 2017 dollar value 2004 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2003 2017 dollar value 2003 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2002 2017 dollar value 2002 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2001 2017 dollar value 2001 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2000 2017 dollar value 2000 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1998 2017 dollar value 1998 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1997 2017 dollar value 1997 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1996 2017 dollar value 1996 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1994 2017 dollar value 1994 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1992 2017 dollar value 1992 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1991 2017 dollar value 1991 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1988 2017 dollar value 1988 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1981 2017 dollar value 1981 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1980 2017 dollar value 1980 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1979 2017 dollar value 1979 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1976 2017 dollar value 1976 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1972 2017 dollar value 1972 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1970 2017 dollar value 1970 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1968 2017 dollar value 1968 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

This feature layer comprises six U.S. counties that have implemented local minimum wages. Attributes include the 2018 minimum wage, any future increases to the minimum wage, the living wage (2016 update, state level, single adult), and the date of minimum wage policy implementation, among other attributes. This layer uses the composite geographies layout in order to position Alaska and Hawaii adjacent to the contiguous U.S. Data was digitized from the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center; living wage data was provided by MIT's Living Wage Calculator.

Field Unit Description

AFFGEOID Text County GEOID

STATEFP Integer State FIPS Code (number)

STABBR Text State Abbreviation

State Text State Name

Locality Text County Name

PrevMW US Dollars Previous minimum wage at the time of implementing a locality minimum wage

PolicyStart Year Start year for implementing locality minimum wage

MW2018 US Dollars 2018 Locality Minimum Wage

DateMW2018 M/D/Y Date of implementation for 2018 locality minimum wage

HighestMW US Dollars Highest planned locality minimum wage

DateHighest Year Year of achieving highest locality minimum wage

AboveStateMW US Dollars (difference) Dollar value that locality minimum wage is above the state minimum wage (MW2018-StateMW2018)

StateMW2018 US Dollars 2018 State Minimum Wage

BelowLV2016 US Dollars (difference) Difference between locality minimum wage and 2016 state living wage (LV2016-MW2018); positive values are below the living wage, negative values are above the living wage

LV2016 US Dollars Living Wage (2016 Update)

Graph and download economic data for State Minimum Wage Rate for Virginia (STTMINWGVA) from 1976 to 2025 about minimum wage, VA, wages, rate, and USA.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Delaware was 15.00000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Delaware reached a record high of 15.00000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 1.25000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Delaware - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Ohio was 10.70000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Ohio reached a record high of 10.70000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 1.25000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Ohio - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for New Hampshire was 7.25000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for New Hampshire reached a record high of 7.25000 in January of 2009 and a record low of 1.40000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for New Hampshire - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Costa Rica is the country with the highest minimum monthly wage in Latin America. According to the minimum salary established by law as of January 2025, workers in the Central American country enjoy a basic monthly wage of over 726 U.S. dollars, an increase of 2.37 percent compared to the previous year. They also earn over 200 U.S. dollars more than the second place, Uruguay. On the other side of the spectrum is Venezuela, where employees are only guaranteed by law a minimum salary of 130 bolívares or little more than 2.50 dollars per month. Can Latin Americans survive on a minimum wage? Even if most countries in Latin America have instated laws to guarantee citizens a basic income, these minimum standards are often not enough to meet household needs. For instance, it was estimated that almost 25 million people in Mexico lacked basic housing services. Salary levels also vary greatly among Latin American economies. In 2020, the average net monthly salary in Mexico was barely higher than Chile's minimum wage in 2021. What can a minimum wage afford in Latin America? Latin American real wages have generally risen in the past decade. However, consumers in this region still struggle to afford non-basic goods, such as tech products. Recent estimates reveal that, in order to buy an iPhone, Brazilian residents would have to work at least two months to be able to pay for it. A gaming console, on the other hand, could easily cost a Latin American worker several minimum wages.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Florida was 13.00000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Florida reached a record high of 13.00000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 6.40000 in January of 2006. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Florida - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Maryland was 15.00000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Maryland reached a record high of 15.00000 in January of 2024 and a record low of 1.15000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Maryland - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Alaska was 11.91000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Alaska reached a record high of 11.91000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 2.10000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Alaska - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for New Mexico was 12.00000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for New Mexico reached a record high of 12.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 1.40000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for New Mexico - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Rhode Island was 15.00000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Rhode Island reached a record high of 15.00000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 1.40000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Rhode Island - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Michigan was 10.56300 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Michigan reached a record high of 10.56300 in January of 2025 and a record low of 1.25000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Michigan - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Illinois was 15.00000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Illinois reached a record high of 15.00000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 1.40000 in January of 1973. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Illinois - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

State Minimum Wage Rate for Missouri was 13.75000 $ per Hour in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Minimum Wage Rate for Missouri reached a record high of 13.75000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 3.80000 in January of 1991. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Minimum Wage Rate for Missouri - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.