How Minimum Wages Vary Across the 50 States

President Theodore Roosevelt initiated what would become the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, which established a standard federal minimum wage. Additionally, the act had provisions detailing requirements for premium pay (overtime, double-time) as well as several other standards for employers, including recordkeeping. This law in the United States clearly outlines how employers should treat their employees when it comes to the hours they work and the wages they earn.

It's no secret that the cost of living often outpaces the increase in the federal minimum wage but some states throughout the country offer a higher minimum wage with specifics about hours worked so employees can afford, at minimum, the essentials they need to live. Additionally, some states have multiple minimum wage rates that apply depending on the type of industry or the region in which employees work. A handful of states don't have a set minimum wage and instead adopt the federal minimum. In some cases, however, the minimum wage may be lower if the employer is not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

To compile this information, 247 Tempo reviewed the Department of Labor's government website for current minimum wage information as well as some state-specific sites for clarification. (Here's a look at the wealthiest city in every state.)

• State Minimum Wage: N/A

Alabama doesn't have a set state minimum wage and therefore adheres to the Fair Labor Standards Act enacted by the federal government, which requires $7.25 per hour.

• State Minimum Wage: $11.73

The state wage in Alaska is based on a basic wage, though there are some provisions. Employers must have at least four employees and the minimum wage is adjusted annually.

• State Minimum Wage: $14.35

This per-hour rate in Arizona doesn't have any provisions.

• State Minimum Wage: $11.00

The minimum wage in Arkansas applies only to employers who have, at minimum, four employees.

• State Minimum Wage: $16.00

California has some specifics, including overtime and double-time pay. Additionally, the state recently passed a law that allows for fast food workers to earn $20.00 per hour, so long as the fast food chains they work for have 60 or more locations throughout the nation. Certain cities in the state differ as well. Wages in the state are adjusted yearly.

• State Minimum Wage: $14.42

In the state of Colorado, the minimum wage and overtime rates are subject to industry, including health, medical, food and beverage, commercial support, and retail and service.

• State Minimum Wage: $15.69

There are some distinctions regarding premium pay for restaurants and hotel restaurants in Connecticut.

• State Minimum Wage: $13.25

Delaware instates the federal minimum wage if it rises higher than the state minimum.

• State Minimum Wage: $12.00

There is a formula that adjusts Florida's minimum wage each year. It's set to reach $15.00 per hour in 2026.

• State Minimum Wage: $5.15

In Georgia, the minimum wage applies to employers with six or more employees. Additionally, the federal minimum wage applies to employment subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires a minimum of $7.25 per hour.

• State Minimum Wage: $14.00

There is premium pay in Hawaii when you work over 40 hours a week, but it doesn't apply if you make $2,000 or more each month. However, if employment is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal minimum wage applies (unless the state minimum is higher).

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

Idaho's current state minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage.

• State Minimum Wage: $14.00

The minimum wage in Illinois applies to employers who have at least four employees. However, the minimum number of employees excludes family members.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

The minimum wage in Indiana applies to employers who have at least two employees. The state also offers premium pay after 40 hours worked in a week.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

If the state minimum wage falls lower than the federal minimum, Iowa adopts the federal rate.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

According to the state law in Kansas, employment subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act is excluded.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

Premium pay applies after 40 hours worked in a week and on the seventh day in a work week (however, not for those who work less than 40 hours per week). Additionally, when the federal minimum wage rate increases, Kentucky adopts the new rate.

• State Minimum Wage: N/A

Louisiana doesn't have a set state minimum wage and therefore adheres to the Fair Labor Standards Act enacted by the federal government, which requires $7.25 per hour.

• State Minimum Wage: $14.15

In Maine, premium pay applies after 40 hours worked in a week. Typically, the minimum wage is adjusted each year. If the federal minimum were to rise higher than the state's minimum, the state would adopt it.

• State Minimum Wage: $15.00

In Maryland, premium pay applies after 40 worked hours in a single week.

• State Minimum Wage: $15.00

There is premium pay after designated hours in Massachusetts and they also have a provision that states their minimum wage will always be at least $0.50 higher than the federal minimum.

• State Minimum Wage: $10.33

The minimum wage in Michigan applies to employers with at least two employees. Premium pay applies after 40 worked hours in one week, and the state adjusts the minimum each year using a standard formula. Additionally, the state minimum applies to employment subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act so long as the state wage is higher. Otherwise, the federal minimum applies.

• State Minimum Wage: $8.85, $10.85

The lower minimum rate in Minnesota applies to small employers that gross less than $500,000 annually. The higher minimum wage applies to large employers that bring in at least $500,000 in revenue annually. In these cases, premium pay applies after designated hours.

• State Minimum Wage: N/A

Mississippi doesn't have a set state minimum wage and therefore adheres to the Fair Labor Standards Act enacted by the federal government, which requires $7.25 per hour.

• State Minimum Wage: $12.30

In Missouri, premium pay applies after designated hours, including after 52 hours in seasonal recreation or amusement companies. The state law exempts federally covered employment as well as businesses that bring in less than $500,000 in revenue annually.

• State Minimum Wage: $4.00; $10.30

In Montana, the lower minimum wage rate applies to businesses that earn less than $110,000 gross each year and are not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The higher minimum wage rate applies to businesses that bring in, at minimum, $110,000 gross annually. Premium pay applies in both cases after 40 hours and the state adjusts the minimum each year.

• State Minimum Wage: $12.00

The state minimum wage in Nebraska applies to employers that have at least four employees.

• State Minimum Wage: $10.25; $11.25

The lower minimum wage of $10.25 in Nevada applies to employers that offer a qualifying health insurance plan. If health insurance is not offered, the higher of the two minimums of $11.25 applies. By July 2024, the minimum wage in both cases will increase to $12.00 per hour for a uniform rate that applies to all employees.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

Premium pay applies in New Hampshire after 40 hours worked in a week. If the state minimum wage falls under the federal minimum wage, the state adopts the federal minimum.

• State Minimum Wage: $15.13

In New Jersey, premium pay applies after 40 hours worked in a week. Small and seasonal employers that have less than six employees adhere to a lower minimum wage of $13.73 per hour.

• State Minimum Wage: $12.00

New Mexico requires premium pay after 40 hours worked in a week.

• State Minimum Wage: $15.00; $16.00

If at any point New York has a state minimum below the federal minimum, it adopts the federal minimum. The lower minimum rate listed above applies generally to the state and the higher minimum applies to specific regions, including New York City, Westchester County, and Suffolk County. Additionally, there are more detailed provisions regarding industry type.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

Premium pay applies in North Carolina after 40 hours worked in a week, except for recreational or seasonal businesses, when premium pay is applicable after 45 hours worked in a week.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

In North Dakota, premium pay applies after 40 hours worked in a week.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25; $10.45

When employers make less than $385,000 gross annually in Ohio, they are required to pay the lower of the two minimums in the state. However, employers that bring in at least $385,000 gross annually are required to pay the higher of the two. Each year, the state adjusts the minimum using a standard formula.

• State Minimum Wage: $2.00; $7.25

The lowest minimum wage in Oklahoma applies to employers with less than 10 employees in a single location or those that make less than $100,000 gross annually despite the number of employees. The higher of the two minimums applies to employers that have at least 10 full-time employees or those that gross at least $100,000 annually despite the number of employees.

• State Minimum Wage: $13.20; $14.20; $15.45

The lower minimum rate in Oregon applies to non-urban counties, the second lowest applies as the standard state minimum, and the highest minimum applies to the Portland metro area. Premium pay provisions apply as well.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

In Pennsylvania, premium pay applies after 40 hours worked in a week.

• State Minimum Wage: $14.00

The state law in Rhode Island requires premium pay after 40 hours worked in a week. Additionally, there are some provisions for retail and some other specific business types.

• State Minimum Wage: N/A

South Carolina doesn't have a set state minimum wage and therefore adheres to the Fair Labor Standards Act enacted by the federal government, which requires $7.25 per hour.

• State Minimum Wage: $11.20

Each year, South Dakota adjusts the minimum wage rate.

• State Minimum Wage: N/A

Tennessee doesn't have a set state minimum wage and therefore adheres to the Fair Labor Standards Act enacted by the federal government, which requires $7.25 per hour.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

The state of Texas looks to the federal minimum and adopts it.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

If employment is subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the state of Utah excludes it.

• State Minimum Wage: $13.67

In Vermont, premium pay applies after 40 hours worked in a week. Additionally, if the federal minimum wage rises higher than the state's, it's automatically adopted.

• State Minimum Wage: $12.00

There are no additional details listed by the Department of Labor regarding Virginia's state minimum wage.

• State Minimum Wage: $16.28

After 40 worked hours in a week, the state of Washington offers premium pay. However, this is not applicable if an employee requests time off instead of premium pay.

• State Minimum Wage: $8.75

If an employer in West Virginia has at least six employees, the state minimum wage applies, and premium pay applies after 40 worked hours in a week.

• State Minimum Wage: $7.25

In Wisconsin, premium pay applies after 40 hours worked in a week.

• State Minimum Wage: $5.15

If employers in Wyoming are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act, they must pay the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour. (Discover the most affordable big city in every state.)