What is the minimum wage?

The minimum wage is the starting hourly wage an employer can pay an employee for work. Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (part of the Fair Labor Standards Act). Some states and cities have raised their minimum wage higher than that. In most instances, the higher of the prevailing minimum wage requirements is binding for employers.

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Minimum Wage in the U.S.

Select your state to learn more about the standard minimum wage and the tipped wage in your state.

Fed. Min. Wage Fed. Tipped Wage
$7.25 $2.13

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September 15, 2023

Wisconsin Lawmakers Should Be Wary of Tip Credit Elimination Consequences

Last week, Wisconsin Sen. Chris Larson and Rep. Francesca Hong announced they would reintroduce a 2021 proposal to eliminate Wisconsin’s tip credit. This proposal would raise the tipped minimum…
September 8, 2023

What’s The Real Word on Tipping At Restaurants?

Recently, there has been an inundation of headlines claiming Americans have “tipping fatigue.” Activists have capitalized on this message saying American states and cities should get rid of tipping everywhere.
Illinois September 1, 2023

Survey Finds Tip Credit Elimination Harms Chicago’s Restaurants and Employees

Chicago’s tipped minimum wage has been on the rise for years, leaving declining restaurant employment growth in its aftermath. Yet in the last city council meeting, Chicago aldermen proposed…
August 25, 2023

Unions Demand GOP Candidates Support Job-Killing Wage Hikes

Ahead of the first Republican presidential primary debate, organizers with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Fight for $15 are threatening to protest the venue. Yet the Fight for…