The minimum wage varies by country and, in many places, by state or region. Here are the current basics for the United States and a quick note on other regions:
- United States federal baseline: The federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009. Individual states and localities can set higher minimums, and many have done so. For 2025, several states and districts have minimum wages well above the federal level, with values ranging into the mid to high teens per hour in places like California, Washington, and New York, among others. (Federal baseline: $7.25/hour; state and locality levels vary widely.)
- State-level variations (highlights for 2025):
- California, Washington, and several Northeast and West Coast states generally have minimum wages in the mid-to-high teens per hour.
- Some states have started or completed plans to phase in raises to $15/hour or higher in 2025 and beyond.
- A number of states still align closely with or slightly exceed federal minimums, depending on local exemptions and the existence of sub-minimums for tipped workers.
- Tips and exemptions: For tipped workers, many jurisdictions allow a separate tipped minimum wage, which may be lower than the standard minimum wage, with the requirement that tips bring the total earnings to at least the standard minimum. Some states require employers to meet a higher base wage before tips are considered.
- Other regions (brief context):
- The United Kingdom uses a separate set of rates (National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage). Rates vary by age and status, and are updated annually by the government.
- In European Union countries, minimum wage rules differ by country, with some setting monthly gross minimum wages and others using hourly rates, often updated annually or by indexation.
If you’d like, I can provide precise current minimum wage figures for a specific country or state, and include the effective dates and any tipping- related rules.
