US states with the highest and lowest minimum wage in 2024

The federal minimum wage in the United States has not increased since 2009, remaining at $7.25 per hour for 14 years, the longest period without an increase since the establishment of the minimum wage in 1938. Despite the federal minimum wage being less than $8 per hour, the District of Columbia and another 30 states have adopted higher levels. Some of these law makers have tied their increases to the cost of living to keep up with inflation, while others have enacted legislation that includes automatic annual rises, with several states set to raise the minimum wage in 2024.

Highest minimum wage in the USA in 2024:

1. District of Columbia:

The District of Columbia will increase the minimum wage next year, taking effect in July 2024, although this has not been officially announced. Nevertheless, with the current minimum wage of $17 per hour, DC will have the highest base wage across the nation in the coming year.

2. Washington:

The minimum wage in the state of Washington will increase to $16.28 per hour starting in January 2024, which is 54 cents higher than the current rate.

3. California:

California’s minimum wage will increase by 3.5% starting on January 1, 2024. Therefore, the state’s minimum wage will be $16 per hour.

4. Connecticut:

Connecticut’s minimum wage per hour will increase by 4.6% to $15.69 starting on January 1, 2024.

5. New Jersey:

The minimum wage will increase by $1 for the upcoming year. Starting in January 2024, the base wage will be $15.13 per hour.

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Lowest minimum wage in the USA in 2024:

Five states in the country do not have a state-established minimum wage in their legislation and therefore adopt the federal minimum of $7.25. These states are Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

In addition, Georgia and Wyoming have set minimum wages of $5.15 for employers exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. However, the majority of businesses are required to use the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

The remaining states with a minimum wage of $7.25 are: