Minimum Wage 2025: Federal and All 50 States
Minimum Wage 2025: Federal Rate and Every State
The federal minimum wage has sat at $7.25 per hour since July 2009 — over 15 years without a change. But state and local governments have taken action: as of 2025, 30+ states have minimum wages above the federal floor, and some cities exceed $20/hr.
Federal Minimum Wage Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Federal minimum wage (2025) | $7.25/hr |
| Annual full-time at federal minimum | $15,080/year |
| Last federal increase | July 24, 2009 |
| Years without increase | 16 years as of 2025 |
| Inflation-adjusted value (2025 dollars) | ~$10.50/hr |
The purchasing power of the $7.25 minimum has eroded significantly since 2009 due to inflation.
State Minimum Wages 2025
States at $16.00/hr or Higher
| State | Minimum Wage | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $16.66/hr | Jan 1, 2025 |
| California | $16.50/hr | Jan 1, 2025 |
| New York City | $17.00/hr | Local ordinance |
| Connecticut | $16.35/hr | Jan 1, 2025 |
| New Jersey | $15.49/hr | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Colorado | $14.81/hr | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Oregon | $14.70/hr | Jul 1, 2024 |
| Massachusetts | $15.00/hr | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Illinois | $15.00/hr | Jan 1, 2025 |
| New York (state) | $16.00/hr | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Maryland | $15.00/hr | Reached 2024 |
| Minnesota | $10.85/hr (small) / $11.13/hr (large) | Jan 1, 2025 |
States Between $10.00-$15.99/hr
| State | Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Florida | $13.00/hr |
| Michigan | $10.33/hr |
| Nevada | $12.00/hr |
| Ohio | $10.45/hr |
| Vermont | $14.01/hr |
| Rhode Island | $15.00/hr |
| Maine | $14.65/hr |
| Delaware | $15.00/hr |
| Virginia | $12.41/hr |
| Missouri | $13.75/hr |
| Nebraska | $13.50/hr |
| Arizona | $14.35/hr |
States at Federal Minimum ($7.25/hr)
| State | Notes |
|---|---|
| Texas | $7.25 (federal floor) |
| Georgia | $5.15 state law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Wyoming | $5.15 state law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Alabama | No state law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Mississippi | No state law; federal $7.25 applies |
| South Carolina | No state law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Tennessee | No state law; federal $7.25 applies |
| Louisiana | No state law; federal $7.25 applies |
Notable Local Minimum Wages (Above State Minimums)
| City/County | Minimum Wage (2025) |
|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $20.76/hr (large employers) |
| San Francisco, CA | $18.67/hr |
| New York City, NY | $17.00/hr |
| Denver, CO | $18.29/hr |
| Chicago, IL | $16.20/hr |
| Portland, OR | $15.95/hr |
| Los Angeles, CA | $17.28/hr |
Annual Income at Various Minimum Wages
| Hourly | Annual (40 hrs/wk) | Poverty Line (single) |
|---|---|---|
| $7.25 | $15,080 | Below (~$15,060 threshold) |
| $10.00 | $20,800 | Above |
| $15.00 | $31,200 | Above |
| $17.00 | $35,360 | Well above |
| $20.00 | $41,600 | Well above |
The federal poverty line for a single person in 2025 is approximately $15,060. Full-time federal minimum wage workers earn just barely above this threshold.
State Minimum Wage Trends
Most states that have enacted minimum wage increases have built in annual automatic adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or a fixed schedule. This means minimum wages in progressive states will continue climbing even without new legislation.
States with automatic CPI adjustments: Washington, Colorado, Ohio, Oregon, Minnesota, and others. These states raised their minimums in January 2025 without any new law needed.
Federal Minimum Wage vs. Living Wage Gap
According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, the living wage for a single adult in the US averages approximately $24-$26/hr nationwide in 2025. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 covers less than one-third of that.
Use our Hourly to Salary Calculator to see what your hourly wage means annually.
See Also
Related guides
$20 an Hour Is How Much a Year? Full 2025 Breakdown
$20 an hour equals $41,600 per year. See monthly, weekly, and biweekly pay, after-tax take-home, and whether $20/hr is enough to live on in 2025.
Living Wage by State 2025: What You Need to Earn
MIT Living Wage Calculator data by state for 2025. How much does a single adult, couple, or family need to earn to cover basic living expenses without assistance?
Living Wage vs Minimum Wage in 2026: The Gap Explained
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr. MIT's living wage for a single adult averages $21-25/hr. See the gap by city and what it means for take-home pay.
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