When it comes to minimum wage, not all states are created equal.
In 2023, over 20 states updated minimum wage laws to reflect changes in the actual cost of living, with Washington emerging as the state with the highest minimum wage in the US.
In fact, some states now require employers to pay more than double the federally legislated rate of $7.25/hr set way back in 2009.
To help organizations stay up-to-date on the latest minimum wage requirements and provide a visual overview of which states pay their residents the most, I’ve combed through the data to give you the hard facts.
As of July 2023, here are the states with the highest minimum wage in the US:
- Washington
- California
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- New York
- Oregon
- New Jersey
- Arizona
- Maine
- Colorado
10 states with the highest minimum wage
Let’s look at the minimum wage of each state in detail:
Washington
With the exception of the District of Columbia, residents of Washington state earn the highest minimum wage at $15.74/hr.
California
California has established a statewide minimum wage of $15.50/hr, but you’ll be entitled to more than that in cities like Los Angeles as cities are allowed to set a higher minimum wage to reflect costs.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts raised its state minimum wage to $15/hr, but for businesses with tipped employees (defined as employees who receive more than $20 a month in tips), the rate is $6.75/hr.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s minimum wage rose to $15/hr in 2023 for adults. Meanwhile, employees aged 16-18 are entitled to 85% or $12.75/hr.
New York
New York has capped its minimum wage at $14.20/hr. However, like California, you may get more depending on your jurisdiction. For example, residents of New York City are entitled to $15/hr.
Oregon
Like many other states, Oregon has also established different levels of minimum wage. The standard rate is $14.20, but you may get more or less depending if you work in an urban or rural setting.
New Jersey
New Jersey increased its minimum wage to $14.13/hr in 2013, with further increases expected in 2024 to meet a legislative goal of $15/hr.
Arizona
The current minimum wage in Arizona is $13.85/hr. It was raised from $12.80/hr on Jan 1, 2023.
Maine
The minimum wage in Maine is $13.80/hr, but it is likely to increase again to $15 in 2024.
Colorado
Colorado’s minimum wage rate in 2023 is $13.65/hr. This is a $1.09 increase in the hourly minimum wage rate from 2022.
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