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- Highest State Minimum Wage: Washington has the highest state minimum wage at $14.49 per hour. Washington, D.C. has the highest minimum wage across the country at $17.00. California has the second highest state minimum wage at $15 per hour for companies with over 25 employees.
- Top States by Minimum Wage: Washington, California, and Connecticut will become the top three states with the highest minimum wage for all employees in 2024.
- Eighteen states have automatic minimum wage increases based on various formulas, usually around January 1st.
- Five states – Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee – follow the federal $7.25 per hour minimum wage.
- The federal minimum wage has not increased for the longest period in American history. Most states have increased their minimum wages. Employers must stay updated on current state and federal minimum wage requirements to avoid penalties. Payroll software helps ensure compliance and accuracy.
- $15 Minimum Wage States: Washington currently has the highest state minimum wage at $15.74 per hour, followed by California at $15.50 per hour. Additional states set to reach $15 per hour by 2024 include Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
- Thirty-one states and Washington D.C. have minimum wages above the $7.25 federal level. Some states have varying wages depending on company size or location. Tipped employee wages are below the standard minimum.
