Minimum Wage in the US

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, unchanged since July 2009. About 30 states and Washington, DC set a higher rate, and employers must pay whichever is highest: Washington, DC pays about $18, Washington state $17.13 and California $16.90.

An hour $7.25

A week $290

A month $1,256.67 ≈ $1,257

A year $15,080

Federal minimum, since 24 July 2009. The legal rate is set an hour (highlighted); the others assume 40 hours a week. All amounts are before tax.

Minimum wage calculator for the US

Change the hours to see what the minimum pays for part-time work or overtime, or enter your own hourly pay.

Pay an hour (USD) Hours a week

A week: $290
A month: $1,256.67
A year: $15,080

Months are 52 weeks ÷ 12. Paid holidays, overtime premiums and extra monthly payments are not included.

Who is covered

Varies by region

Most employees are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tipped workers can be paid $2.13 an hour if tips bring them up to $7.25, and workers under 20 can be paid $4.25 for their first 90 days. Many cities, such as Seattle and Denver, set their own higher rates.

Next change

No change to the federal rate is planned. Most states that index their minimum to inflation raise it on 1 January.

Checked 23 October 2026 against labour ministries, official gazettes and recent reporting. Your own minimum can depend on your age, sector, region or contract, so check with the labour authority or your union. This is a summary, not legal advice. Sources: US Department of Labor: Minimum wage; US Department of Labor: State minimum wage laws.

Salary calculator

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Working days in the US

Business days and hours by month this year.

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