What state has the lowest hourly pay?
Asked by: Ryann Boehm II | Last update: February 17, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (23 votes)
There isn't one single state with the absolute lowest wage, but several, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee, have no state minimum wage and default to the $7.25 federal minimum, while Georgia and Wyoming list $5.15 (but also default to $7.25 for most workers) and Oklahoma has $2.00 for very small businesses, meaning most workers in these states earn the $7.25 federal minimum wage.
What state pays the least per hour?
State Minimum Wages Summary
Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour. In all eight of these states, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour generally applies.
Why is Target paying $24 an hour?
Target pays up to $24 an hour for starting roles to stay competitive in a tight labor market, attract and retain talent, and counter inflation, investing heavily in its workforce with ranges from $15-$24 based on location and role, alongside expanded benefits like healthcare and education access. This strategic move aims to reward employees for driving company growth and better compete with other retailers, acknowledging that a well-compensated team leads to better customer experiences and strong sales.
What is the lowest hourly wage in the US?
The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour. Many states also have minimum wage laws.
What state has a $15 an hour minimum wage?
As of early 2026, many U.S. states have minimum wages at or above $15/hour, including Washington, California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois, Delaware, Missouri, Nebraska, Maine, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado, Rhode Island, Oregon, and Florida, with Washington, D.C. also at $15 or higher, with rates varying and often increasing annually.
Comparison: Average SALARY by country 2022
What is Utah's minimum wage?
The minimum wage in Utah is $7.25, which is the same as the federal minimum wage. The state minimum wage last changed in 2008, when it was raised by $0.70 from $6.55 to $7.25. Though the minimum wage applies to most Utah employees, there are some exceptions, including: Tipped employees.
What is Louisiana's minimum wage?
Louisiana. No state minimum wage law. Employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the current Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Who has a $20 minimum wage?
California has a $20 minimum wage specifically for fast-food workers in large chains (60+ locations nationwide) as of April 1, 2024, creating the highest sector-specific minimum wage in the U.S., though some areas and other industries may have higher or lower rates, with ongoing debate about its effects. While no state mandates a universal $20 minimum wage, some cities or industries might reach or exceed that, but California's is the most prominent example for a large group of workers.
What states pay the most hourly?
Washington, D.C. has the highest average hourly wage in the U.S., standing at $51.30. Eight of the 10 lowest-paying states are in the South.
What is the lowest paid job in America?
1: Shampooer. The worst-paying job on the list is shampooers. They work in hair salons washing and rinsing customers' hair. Mean hourly wages are $14.07 and mean annual wages are $29,260.
Why is Costco paying 30 dollars an hour?
Costco's plan to raise wages to $30 per hour for its top-scale store workers isn't just a win for the company. It's a sign of what's to come for the retail industry at large. Higher pay, engaged employees and a focus on emerging roles are setting a new standard for what it means to work in retail.
What is a 5% raise on $20 an hour?
A 5% raise on $20 an hour adds $1 to your hourly wage, making your new rate $21 per hour, calculated by finding 5% of $20 ($1) and adding it to the original $20, or by multiplying $20 by 1.05.
Who pays better, Walmart or Target?
Generally, Target pays slightly more for many entry-level roles like cashiers and sales associates, with higher starting wages and a strong push for above-median pay, while Walmart may offer better bonuses and slightly higher pay for some specialized roles like assistant managers and certain stocking positions, though both offer competitive wages that vary by location and role, making Target often seen as having better overall pay for frontline staff.
Is minimum wage enough to live on?
Key Takeaways. The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. Working for minimum wage does not give most people a living wage. Many states and cities have a higher minimum wage in place, more than double in some cases, but workers still struggle to make ends meet.
Which states are raising the minimum wage in 2026?
In 2026, at least 19 states increased their minimum wage, with many effective January 1st, raising rates in places like California ($16.90), Washington ($17.13), and Connecticut ($16.94), while others like Alaska, Florida, and Oregon have scheduled increases later in the year, with many reaching or surpassing $15 per hour, setting a new milestone where more minimum wage workers earn $15+ than the federal rate.
What jobs pay $2000 a day?
Earning $2000 daily often involves high-skill freelancing (consulting, specialized writing), high-ticket sales, advanced digital marketing (SEO, funnel building), or specialized gig economy work (luxury pet care, event services), with some paths like content creation or e-commerce taking significant time to scale; quick cash might come from selling valuable items or intense gig work (Uber, TaskRabbit, Rover), while long-term potential lies in building assets like courses or membership sites.
What is $100,000 a year hourly?
$100,000 a year is approximately $48.08 per hour, calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2,080 working hours (40 hours/week multiplied by 52 weeks/year). This standard calculation assumes a full-time schedule, but the exact hourly rate changes if you work more or fewer hours, such as around $38.46/hour for a 50-hour week or $64.10/hour for a 30-hour week.
What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?
Yes, jobs paying over $400,000 without a college degree exist, with Walmart Store Managers being a prominent example due to increased bonuses and stock, while other high earners include roles in enterprise tech sales, commercial real estate, high-level trades (like nuclear operators, air traffic controllers), and self-made entrepreneurs/influencers, all relying on high skill, performance, and market demand, not just degrees, according to sources from Tallo and The Wall Street Journal.
Does Chick-fil-A pay $20 an hour?
Yes, many Chick-fil-A locations, especially in high-cost areas like California, do pay around or above $20 an hour, with some roles like Team Members, Kitchen Staff, and Leaders often starting in the $20-$25 range, though exact pay depends heavily on location, experience, and the specific franchised restaurant. While national averages might be lower, California's fast-food minimum wage law (effective April 2024) set a $20 minimum for covered restaurants, pushing many roles to that level or higher.
What is McDonald's minimum wage?
McDonald's minimum wage varies significantly by location, with company-owned stores having ranges like $11-$17 for crew (as of 2021), but many franchise locations pay closer to local minimums, such as California's $20/hour fast-food minimum as of April 2024, while general U.S. crew averages around $12.73/hour as of early 2026, showing wide disparities based on state laws and local markets.
What is the minimum wage in Texas?
The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage, as Texas law defaults to the federal standard and does not have its own higher rate. This rate has been in effect since 2009, even as many other states have increased theirs above the federal level. Tipped workers have a lower cash wage of $2.13 per hour, as long as their tips bring them up to at least the $7.25 minimum.
What state has no minimum wage?
These employees are referred to as “covered nonexempt workers.” Provisions of the FLSA apply in states that have not enacted their own minimum wage laws (e.g., Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee) or in states where the local law sets a minimum wage below the federal rate (Georgia and Wyoming ...
What is a living wage?
Overview. At its simplest, a living wage is what one full-time worker must earn on an hourly basis to help cover the cost of their family's minimum basic needs where they live while still being self-sufficient. Here's a quick guide for what you need to know about the living wage data you see on the calculator.
What state pays the highest minimum wage?
As of early 2026, Washington state has the highest state minimum wage at $17.13 per hour, while Washington, D.C., has the highest overall rate in the nation at $17.95 per hour, though it's a district, not a state. Many states, including Washington, have minimum wages that adjust annually for inflation, leading to frequent updates.