100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
The minimum wage in the United States is established at three distinct levels: federal, state, and local. The federal minimum wage serves as a baseline across all states in the USA. For positions governed by federal labor laws, hourly compensation cannot fall below this standard. However, individual states have the authority to enact their own minimum wage laws, provided the rates exceed the federal floor. Furthermore, specific cities and counties may enforce distinct minimum wages that surpass both state and federal requirements.
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Federal Minimum Wage in the USA in 2026
Beyond the standard hourly rate, there are two specialized minimum wage tiers: one for positions where tips constitute a significant portion of income, and another for non-tipped employees.
Tipped employees, such as taxi drivers, servers, bartenders, and casino dealers, are subject to a lower base minimum wage compared to workers who do not earn at least per month in gratuities. Conversely, roles such as cooks, maintenance personnel, and kitchen staff typically command the higher standard rate. The disparity between tipped and non-tipped base wages can differ by up to fourfold.
🔴 Minimum Wage in the USA 2026
Since July 24, 2009, the federal minimum hourly wage has remained at .
🔵 Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees
The current federal base wage for tipped employees is per hour. However, should the combined total of this base wage and tips fail to reach the standard , the employer is legally required to cover the difference.
⚪ Wage for Youth Under 20
A specialized minimum hourly wage of applies to employees under the age of 20 during their first 90 calendar days of employment.
🟢 Indexed Minimum Wage
In numerous states, the minimum wage is pegged to inflation rates or the cost-of-living index. Consequently, these rates undergo regular automatic adjustments. States utilizing an indexed minimum wage are designated with ✔️, while those with fixed rates are marked with ❌.
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State Minimum Wage in the USA in 2026
States retain the right to legislate their own minimum wage floors. Currently, the highest rates in the nation are found in Washington, D.C., Washington State, and California. Conversely, Georgia and Wyoming maintain the lowest state-mandated rates. In states such as Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee, no state-level minimum wage legislation exists, meaning the federal standard applies.
The data presented in the table below is valid as of January 1, 2026, and reflects hourly rates. This information is sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor.
State 🔴 Minimum Wage 🔵 Tipped Employees 🟢 Indexed Minimum Wage Alabama — — ❌ Alaska ✔️ Arizona ✔️ Arkansas ❌ California 1, 2) ✔️ Colorado ✔️ Connecticut ✔️ Delaware ❌ Florida ✔️ Georgia 3) ❌ Hawaii ❌ Idaho ❌ Illinois 4) ❌ Indiana ❌ Iowa 5) ❌ Kansas ❌ Kentucky ❌ Louisiana — — ❌ Maine 6) ✔️ Maryland ❌ Massachusetts ❌ Michigan ✔️ Minnesota 7) ✔️ Mississippi — — ❌ Missouri ✔️ Montana ✔️ Nebraska ❌ Nevada ✔️ New Hampshire ❌ New Jersey 8) ✔️ New Mexico ❌ New York — 12) ❌ North Carolina ❌ North Dakota ❌ Ohio ✔️ Oklahoma ❌ Oregon 9) ✔️ Pennsylvania ❌ Rhode Island ❌ South Carolina — — ❌ South Dakota ✔️ Tennessee — — ❌ Texas 10) ❌ Utah ❌ Vermont ✔️ Virginia ✔️ Washington ✔️ Washington, D.C. ✔️ West Virginia 11) ❌ Wisconsin ❌ Wyoming ❌ 1) Individual cities in California frequently mandate their own minimum wages. For instance, Los Angeles has established a rate of , San Francisco requires , and Berkeley has set its rate at .
2) Since April 1, 2024, a minimum wage of applies to employees of fast-food chains that offer limited table service and operate at least 60 locations nationwide.
3) This minimum wage regulation applies exclusively to employers maintaining a staff of six or more.
4) In Chicago, the applicable minimum wage is . For tipped positions, the base rate is calculated as 60% of this figure.
5) Minimum wage regulations are not enforced for most businesses generating annual revenues below .
6) In Portland, the minimum wage is set at .
7) In Minneapolis and St. Paul, the minimum wage is for large employers.
8) The minimum wage for seasonal workers in 2026 is , while agricultural workers are subject to a rate of .
9) A rate of applies in non-urban counties, while the standard rate is . Within the Portland metropolitan area, the rate increases to . The rate for tipped employees remains consistent with these standard wages.
10) In Dallas County, the minimum wage is established at for certain public employees and contractors.
11) This minimum wage applies only to establishments employing six or more individuals.
12) Minimum wage rates vary by location and industry. For example, fast-food employees in New York City are entitled to a minimum wage of . -
Minimum Wage for Youth and Trainee Employees
Several states enforce separate minimum wage tiers for minors and employees undergoing training. Updated values for 2026 include:
- Illinois – (for employees under 18 working limited hours)
- Michigan – trainees , minors
- Minnesota – (youth and small employers)
- New Jersey – (training wage)
- Ohio – for minors under 16 years old
- Washington – (for minors aged 14–15)
Discussion (4)
Hi, I’d like to know how it is in the US with tips. I have read that it is not compulsory, but everyone gives it and it is therefore expected – it is supposedly the main income of some employees. I wonder who to pay and how much is given that way. Thank you :)
Hi Jeromie, check out the article on tipping in the US, it tells you everything.
Has anyone notice since Minium wage has gone up everything else has gone up also, so you are still right back were you started. Your check might be larger dollar wise, but when you go to spending it buys less. and some people are worse off due to them not receiving a wage increase. it put them into worse shape than before the rise in prices on the cost of living.
@Sharon M: Hey Sharon, you’re right. Due to the inflation it’s actually worse for MANY people.