Minimum Wage Lookup by City and State
Find the minimum wage that applies to you. Enter your city or select your state below to see your local, state, and federal minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and how your area compares to the rest of the country.
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Minimum Wage by State - All 50 States + DC
The map below shows minimum wage rates across all US states and the District of Columbia. States range from the federal minimum of $7.25 to over $17.00/hr. Currently, 31 states have minimum wages above the federal rate, while 20 states follow the federal minimum. Click any state for detailed city-level data and scheduled increases.
Cities with the Highest Minimum Wages in the US
Many cities and counties set their own minimum wage rates above the state level. These local ordinances are especially common in high-cost-of-living metro areas in California, Washington, Colorado, and the Northeast. Here are the cities with the highest minimum wages in the country.
| # | City | State | Local Rate | Annual (Full-Time) | vs. Federal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | Washington | $20.76 | $43,181 | +$13.51 |
| 2 | Tukwila | Washington | $20.29 | $42,203 | +$13.04 |
| 3 | Renton | Washington | $20.29 | $42,203 | +$13.04 |
| 4 | SeaTac | Washington | $19.71 | $40,997 | +$12.46 |
| 5 | Burien | Washington | $19.71 | $40,997 | +$12.46 |
| 6 | West Hollywood | California | $19.65 | $40,872 | +$12.40 |
| 7 | Mountain View | California | $19.40 | $40,352 | +$12.15 |
| 8 | Emeryville | California | $19.36 | $40,269 | +$12.11 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | California | $19.15 | $39,832 | +$11.90 |
| 10 | San Francisco | California | $18.67 | $38,834 | +$11.42 |
Understanding Minimum Wage in the United States
The minimum wage in the United States operates on three levels: federal, state, and local. The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since July 2009 and applies as a floor across all 50 states. However, states and cities are free to set higher minimum wages, and when they do, employers must pay whichever rate is highest. As of 2026, 31 states plus DC have set minimum wages above the federal level, and dozens of cities have enacted even higher local rates.
The gap between the federal minimum and the highest local rates has grown significantly. Workers in Seattle earn $20.76 per hour — nearly three times the federal minimum — while workers in states like Texas, Pennsylvania, and Georgia still earn the federal rate of $7.25. This means a full-time minimum wage worker's annual income ranges from approximately $15,080 to $43,181 depending entirely on where they work.
Tipped Minimum Wage
Under federal law, employers may pay tipped employees (those who regularly receive more than $30/month in tips) a cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour, provided that the employee's tips bring their total hourly compensation up to at least $7.25. This is known as the "tip credit." If tips do not make up the difference, the employer must make up the shortfall. However, seven states — Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington — prohibit tip credits entirely, requiring employers to pay the full state minimum wage before tips. Many other states have set their tipped minimum higher than the federal $2.13.
How Minimum Wage Affects Cost of Living
While a higher minimum wage means more income, it is important to consider local cost of living. A $20.76/hr minimum wage in Seattle has less purchasing power than it might in a lower-cost city because Seattle's housing, food, and transportation costs are among the highest in the nation. Conversely, the $7.25 federal minimum provides very low purchasing power even in the most affordable parts of the country. Use our state pages to see how minimum wages relate to local economic conditions.
How This Data Is Compiled
Minimum wage rates are compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, state labor department publications, and municipal ordinances. City-level rates are verified against local government websites. We update this data when new legislation takes effect — many states adjust rates annually on January 1 or July 1. For the most current rate in your area, check your state's department of labor website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and has been since July 24, 2009. It applies to most workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). While there have been numerous proposals to raise it, no increase has been enacted at the federal level. If your state or city has a higher minimum wage, that higher rate applies to you.
Which state has the highest minimum wage?
Washington state has the highest state-level minimum wage at $16.66/hr as of 2025, followed closely by California at $16.50/hr and Connecticut at $16.35/hr. However, the District of Columbia exceeds all states at $17.50/hr. At the city level, Seattle, WA leads the nation at $20.76/hr for large employers.
Does my city have a local minimum wage?
Many cities, especially in California, Washington, Colorado, and the Northeast, have enacted local minimum wage ordinances that exceed the state rate. Use our lookup tool above to check your specific city. Note that some states (like Texas and most Southern states) have preemption laws that prevent cities from setting their own minimum wages.
What is the tipped minimum wage?
The federal tipped minimum wage is $2.13/hr for employees who regularly receive more than $30/month in tips. However, the employer must ensure total compensation (cash wage + tips) equals at least the full minimum wage. Seven states require the full minimum wage before tips: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Many other states set tipped wages between $2.13 and the full state minimum.
How much is minimum wage per year?
At the federal minimum of $7.25/hr, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) earns $15,080 per year before taxes. At the national average of approximately $11.18/hr, that rises to about $23,254. Workers in the highest-paying cities can earn over $43,000 per year at minimum wage.
When will the federal minimum wage increase?
There is currently no scheduled increase to the federal minimum wage. The Raise the Wage Act has been proposed multiple times but has not passed Congress. In the absence of federal action, individual states and cities continue to raise their own rates. Many states have enacted automatic annual adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which means their minimum wages increase each year to keep pace with inflation.
How does minimum wage compare to a living wage?
The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour translates to roughly $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks). According to MIT's Living Wage Calculator, a single adult with no children needs $18 to $25 per hour in most metropolitan areas just to cover basic expenses like housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. That means the federal minimum falls well short of what researchers consider a living wage in every major U.S. metro area. Recognizing this gap, more than 30 states and dozens of cities have raised their minimum wages above the federal floor, though most still fall below living wage estimates for their regions.
Can my employer pay me less than the state minimum wage?
In most cases, no — but there are several legal exceptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tipped employees can be paid a federal cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour if their tips bring total compensation to at least the full minimum wage. Workers under 20 years old may be paid $4.25 per hour during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. Full-time students employed by certain retail, service, agricultural, or college/university employers may be paid 85% of the minimum wage under a DOL certificate. Workers with disabilities may also be paid below minimum wage under special certificates issued by the Department of Labor. Importantly, if your state's minimum wage is higher than the federal rate, the state law applies — and state-level exceptions may differ, so check your state's labor department for specifics.