High State Minimum Wage Impact 12-22-25

In 2025, state minimum wages vary significantly, with high rates in Washington ($16.66) & DC ($17.95), and some locations like NYC & Long Island hitting $16.50, while many other states, especially in the South, stick to the federal minimum of $7.25, though some like Florida are increasing to $14.00 in late 2025. Key states like California, Illinois, and Delaware already hit $15.00 or more by January 2025, with automatic increases happening in several other states (AZ, CO, ME, MN, MT, OH, SD, VT, VA).  

High Minimum Wages (Examples)

Washington D.C.: $17.95

Washington: $16.66

New York: $16.50 (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) / $15.50 (Rest of State)

California: $16.50 (Statewide)

Illinois: $15.00

Delaware: $15.00

Rhode Island: $15.00 

States at the Federal Minimum ($7.25) 

Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming. 

States with Mid-Range or Increasing Wages (Examples)

Arizona: $14.70

Colorado: $14.81

Connecticut: $16.35

Maine: $14.65

Michigan: $10.56 (with a later increase to $12.48)

Minnesota: $11.13

New Jersey: $15.49

Ohio: $10.70

Vermont: $14.01

Virginia: $12.41 

Key Points

Federal vs. State: States can set their own minimum wage, but it must be at least the federal rate ($7.25/hr).

Indexing: Many states automatically adjust their minimum wage annually for inflation.

Local Tiers: Some states (like NY) have different rates for specific cities or regions. 

In 2025, minimum wage rates across the United States range from the federal floor of $7.25 to as high as $17.95 in Washington, D.C.. While 20 states adhere to the federal $7.25 rate, many others have implemented higher state-level minimums. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=minimum+wage+by+state+2025

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader