Considering the recent hike in the minimum wage, everyone has their opinions on whether or not it is a good idea. The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 for 2021. However, Virginia has raised its rates to $9.5 from the minimum $7.5 compared to 2020. This article will outline where you stand if you are a worker in one of these states.
Different Views of People about Minimum Wage
One of the most contentious economic topics in modern times is minimum wage. Many people support an increase in the minimum wage because it will help those employees at the bottom of the pay scale and make a difference in their lives. But there are others who argue that increasing the minimum wage would be harmful to businesses, leading to unemployment or higher prices for consumers. This article will provide information about your state’s minimum wage in 2021 and why the state set it at that level.
Keep an eye on your state’s laws because they are sure to change with time!
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Map of Increase in Minimum Wage Rate by State in 2021
This is a map of the minimum wage rates comparison between 2020 and 2021 across various states. The map shows that in some areas, the minimum wage has been changed in comparison to 2020. This change depends on whether you are an employee who does not receive tips (i.e., a waiter in New Jersey) or if they do receive tips (i.e., a waitress in Alaska). This shows how diverse each state’s policies are regarding this issue. Many people would like to see nationwide changes, so there is more consistency with respect to what someone earns at their job across all 50 states–or even just one!
Tabular Comparison of Minimum Wage Rate between 2020 and 2021
| State | 2020 Minimum Wage | 2021 Minimum Wage |
| Alabama | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) |
| Alaska | $10.19 | $10.34 |
| Arizona | $12.00 | $12.15 |
| Arkansas | $10.00 | $11.00 |
| California | $13.00 | $14.00* |
| Colorado | $12.00 | $12.32 |
| Connecticut | $12.00 | $13.00 (In effect since 1st August, 2021) |
| Delaware | $9.25 | $10.25 |
| Washington D.C. | $15.00 | $15.20 |
| Florida | $8.56 | $10.00 (Will be In effect After 30th September, 2021) |
| Georgia | $5.15 (Employers subject to Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25) | $5.15 (Employers subject to Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25) |
| Hawaii | $10.10 | $10.10 |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Illinois | $10.00 | $11.00 |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Louisiana | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) |
| Maine | $12.00 | $12.15 |
| Maryland | $11.00 | $11.75** |
| Massachusetts | $12.75 | $13.50 |
| Michigan | $9.65 | $9.65 |
| Minnesota | $10.00 | $10.08*** |
| Mississippi | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) |
| Missouri | $9.45 | $10.30 |
| Montana | $8.65 | $8.75 |
| Nebraska | $9.00 | $9.00 |
| Nevada | $8.00 | $8.75 ((In effect since 1st July, 2021) )**** |
| New Hampshire | $7.25) | $7.25 |
| New Jersey | $11.00 | $12.00***** |
| New Mexico | $9.00 | $10.50 |
| New York | $11.80 | $12.50****** |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Ohio | $8.70 | $8.80 |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Oregon | $12.00 | $12.75 ((In effect since 1st July, 2021) )****** |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Rhode Island | $10.50 | $11.50 |
| South Carolina | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) |
| South Dakota | $9.30 | $9.45 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) | $7.25 (Federal, Minimum Wage) |
| Texas | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Utah | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Vermont | $10.96 | $11.75 |
| Virginia | $7.25 | $9.50 ((In effect since 1st May, 2021) ) |
| Washington | $13.50 | $13.69 |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $8.75 |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Wyoming | $5.15 (Employers subject to Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25) | $5.15 (Employers subject to Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25) |
How America’s Minimum Wage Rate Compares
About the Minimum Wage in Your State
The Federal minimum wage rate for 2021 is $7.25 per hour. Still, in many states, citizens are entitled to be paid higher state-level wages.
In addition, various exceptions to the minimum wage are delineated under certain circumstances:
- Workers with disabilities: Workers with disabilities may be paid less than minimum wage.
- Tipped employees: Employers can take credit for the tips an employee receives to get them up to minimum wage, although some states are stricter about regulating this exception.
- Some states have different rates for minors and adults
- Workers in retail: Certain states have a different minimum wage for employees of certain types of businesses.
- Workers under age 20 who are still in school and working part-time
- Learners or trainees at a nonprofit organization, government agency, or residential facility
- Youth under age 20 in their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment
Moreover, you can check https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state for more details related to Minimum Wage Laws in your state.
FAQs
What was the US minimum wage in 2020?
The Minimum Wage for the US set by the Federal State is $7.5.
What is the US minimum wage in 2021?
The US minimum wage in 2021 remains the same as 2020 i-e $7.5.
Which State Has the Highest Minimum Wage?
California has the highest minimum wage rate ($14). However, this applies only to businesses that have 26 or more employees. After California, Washington has the highest wage rate applying to all employers i-e $13.69.
If Washington D.C were a state, it would have had the highest minimum wage rate of $15.
What State Has the Lowest Minimum Wage?
Georgia and Wyoming have the lowest wage rate of $5.15. However, those employers in these two states who are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the minimum wage of $7.25 to their employees.
What is the minimum wage in California right now?
The minimum wage in California right now is $14.00 for employers having 26 or more employees. For employers having 25 or fewer employers, the minimum wage rate is $13.00.
Which country has the lowest minimum wage?
Cuba currently has the lowest minimum wage rate in the world. According to a study, a worker in Cuba receives 225 Cuban pesos per month, equal to $9.
Is 100 dollars an hour a good Wage?
$100 is a pretty good Wage rate in the US or anywhere in the world. According to a study, the median wage rate in the US is $16, and therefore $100 is more than six times of median wage rate in the US.
Final Words
In conclusion, if you live in one of the states that have increased their minimum wage in 2021, then congratulations! You are making a living wage. If not, don’t fret; there’s still time to get your voice heard and fight for what is rightfully yours. There’s no better time than now to make an impact on all future generations with this movement. Together we can raise the federal minimum wage, so everyone has access to opportunities they deserve. What do you think? Will these changes affect how much people work, or will it just increase prices at businesses? Leave your thoughts below!