爆料TV

How the minimum wage has changed in your state

路Stacey Marcus

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When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standard Act into law in 1938, the federal minimum wage was 25 cents an hour. Fast forward 80 years and the federal minimum wage has reached聽$7.25 and created swirls of debate across the country. Twenty-one states launched 2020 with higher minimum wages and to raise the minimum wage rate to $15 an hour if elected president.

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Washington raised their rates due to previously-approved ballot initiatives or approved legislation. Seven states automatically increased their minimum wage rates based on the cost of living.

The academic debate surrounding the minimum wage attempts to understand whether raising the minimum wage will cause job losses at businesses that employ many people at minimum wage.聽While some employees may earn more, overall well-being goes down when layoffs occur. A report released by the Congressional Budget Office states raising the minimum wage gradually to $15 by 2025 , while academics at the University of California Berkeley have predicted and significant progress in combating wealth inequality were the law to pass.

爆料TV took a look at all 50 states plus the District of Columbia to explore the varying pay rates of hourly workers, how they compare to the living wage, and where voters and lawmakers are seeing the minimum wage go in the future.

Combining data from the (released Nov. 5, 2020) and with research from news and trusted sources, we discovered each state's minimum wage, what has changed in 2020, and what the future looks like for America's hourly workers. Inflation-adjusted wages were calculated using the .

Take a tour from the lowest minimum wage of $5.15 in Georgia and Wyoming to the highest rate of $15 being paid to hourly workers in the District of Columbia.

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Alabama

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Alabama

- Minimum wage in 2020: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 2000: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

Alabama is one of five states that have not adopted a state minimum wage. The other states are Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Birmingham workers have been locked in battle with state legislators since 2016, when the city voted in favor of a that was never put into practice; soon after, the legislature passed a law restricting cities and towns in Alabama from setting their own minimum wage.

Alaska

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Alaska

- Minimum wage in 2020: $10.19
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.65 ($8.70 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.60 ($12.06 inflation-adjusted)

Alaska's minimum wage rose to $10.34聽an hour in 2021, continuing the trend of annual increases that started in 2016. According to state law, public school bus drivers , and the to all Alaskans, regardless of income.

Arizona

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Arizona

- Minimum wage in 2020: $12
- Minimum wage in 2000: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

Arizona鈥檚 minimum wage of $12聽an hour exceeds the federal minimum wage by over $4, but still is what is considered a living wage for an individual. As recently as 2016, the .

Arkansas

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Arkansas

- Minimum wage in 2020: $10
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.55 ($8.54 inflation-adjusted)

The minimum wage in Arkansas is $2.75 over the federal minimum wage, as well as of Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. In the 2018 midterm elections, voters approved a measure to by 2021, a 29% increase over three years.

California

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California

- Minimum wage in 2020: $13
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.75 ($8.86 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.90 ($9.72 inflation-adjusted)

California's minimum wage will continue to rise a dollar a year until it . Employers with 25 employees or fewer will see the . The current wage is almost for an adult in the Golden State.

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Colorado

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Colorado

- Minimum wage in 2020: $12
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $1.90 ($6.37 inflation-adjusted)

Colorado is one of because of legislation or ballot initiatives. Over 2,000 employees of Amazon over 50% more than the minimum wage.

Connecticut

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Connecticut

- Minimum wage in 2020: $12
- Minimum wage in 2000: $6.15 ($9.47 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.12 ($10.45 inflation-adjusted)

The minimum wage in Connecticut is $4.75 higher than the federally-mandated rate of $7.25. Gov. Ned Lamont in May 2019 signed a to $15 incrementally between 2019 and 2023. The first increase to $11 occurred in October 2019. The went into effect in January 2020.

Delaware

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Delaware

- Minimum wage in 2020: $9.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.65 ($8.70 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2聽($6.70 inflation-adjusted)

In July聽2018, Delaware joined the states in increasing their minimum wages. The incrementally over four years, starting with $8.75 and ending at $10.25 an hour. The increase is still well below the .

Florida

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Florida

- Minimum wage in 2020: $8.56
- Minimum wage in 2000: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

Florida鈥檚 minimum wage increased by 21 cents to $8.46 on Jan. 1, 2019. The 2.5% increase is for a Florida resident. In the recent election, voters in Florida passed an amendment to per hour over the next few years.

Georgia

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Georgia

- Minimum wage in 2020: $5.15
- Minimum wage in 2000: $3.25 ($5.01 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $1.25 ($4.19 inflation-adjusted)

Georgia's state minimum wage is over $2 under the federally-mandated rate of $7.25 an hour, the , along with Wyoming. The two states would benefit the most if the United States moves closer to the .

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Hawaii

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Hawaii

- Minimum wage in 2020: $10.10
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.25 ($8.09 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.90 ($9.72 inflation-adjusted)

Hawaii鈥檚 minimum wage sits $2.85 above the federally-mandated minimum wage. The annual at HUD鈥檚 Fair Market Rate is $80,613.

Idaho

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Idaho

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.30 ($7.71 inflation-adjusted)

Idaho is right on the money, meeting the federally-mandated minimum wage of $7.25. However, it falls The annual at HUD鈥檚 Fair Market Rate is $34,511.

Illinois

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Illinois

- Minimum wage in 2020: $10
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.30 ($7.71 inflation-adjusted)

Workers in Illinois earn $2.75 over the federally-mandated wage, and the minimum wage is . However, the minimum wage in an hour, while the rate in .

Indiana

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Indiana

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2聽($6.70 inflation-adjusted)

Indiana employers pay workers the current federally-mandated wage of $7.25 per hour. This is for an individual in the state. However, several legislators have in the statehouse.

Iowa

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Iowa

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

Iowa workers can expect to make the federally-mandated minimum wage of $7.25. in Des Moines will earn $15 an hour, more than double the state's minimum wage.

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Kansas

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Kansas

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $2.65 ($4.08 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $1.60 ($5.36 inflation-adjusted)

If you work in Kansas, you have seen the minimum wage . This is the same rate .

Kentucky

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Kentucky

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.15 ($7.20 inflation-adjusted)

The Bluegrass State mirrors the federally-mandated minimum wage of $7.25. This translates into based on a 40-hour work week, or $15,080 per year. The state has

Louisiana

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Louisiana

- Minimum wage in 2020: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 2000: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

In 2018, senators from that would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8 in 2019 and $8.50 in 2020. Louisiana is one of five states that has no minimum wage. The others are Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Maine

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Maine

- Minimum wage in 2020: $12
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

The Pine Tree State鈥檚 minimum wage increased to and rose to $12 in 2020. It for an individual living in Maine this year.

Maryland

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Maryland

- Minimum wage in 2020: $11
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

Maryland's minimum wage is almost double what it was in 2000 and has tripled since 1980. It will until it hits $15 in 2025.

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Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

- Minimum wage in 2020: $12.75
- Minimum wage in 2000: $6聽($9.24 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

In 1912, Massachusetts became the first state to enact a minimum wage law to protect women and child workers younger than 18 (all of whom at the time were ). The District of Columbia鈥攁nd 14 additional states鈥攆ollowed suit, only to be struck down in a 1923 Supreme Court decision deeming a mandated minimum wage unconstitutional. That decision wasn鈥檛 reversed until 1937. Massachusetts鈥� minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2023.

Michigan

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Michigan

- Minimum wage in 2020: $9.65
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

Michigan鈥檚 minimum wage sits $2.40 above the federally-mandated wage. to raise the minimum wage to .

Minnesota

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Minnesota

- Minimum wage in 2020: $10聽(large employers) / $8.15 (small employers)
- Minimum wage in 2000: $4.90-$5.15
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.90 ($9.72 inflation-adjusted)

Minnesota was one of 20 states that rang in the New Year with a minimum wage increase and one of seven states that automatically increased their rates based on the cost of living. Over the past eight decades, the federally-mandated minimum wage has increased .

Mississippi

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Mississippi

- Minimum wage in 2020: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 2000: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

If the minimum wage requirement were to disappear, to pay less than minimum wage. Mississippi, along with Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, and South Carolina, have no state minimum wage at all.

Missouri

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Missouri

- Minimum wage in 2020: $9.45
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

Missouri voted in 2018 by statewide ballot measure to adopt a plan that will increase the minimum wage to . It was one of 14 states that increased their rates due to previously-approved ballot initiatives or legislation.

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Montana

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Montana

- Minimum wage in 2020: $8.65
- Minimum wage in 2000: $4鈥�$5.15
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2聽($6.70 inflation-adjusted)

Things are looking up for Montana workers, as the minimum wage increased from 聽Gov. Steve Bullock announced that beginning Jan. 1, 2021, the per hour.

Nebraska

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Nebraska

- Minimum wage in 2020: $9
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $1.60 ($5.36 inflation-adjusted)

Nebraska has come a long way since 1980 when the minimum wage was set at $1.60. Just a year later, the .

Nevada

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Nevada

- Minimum wage in 2020: $9 (without health benefits) / $8 (with health benefits)
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.75 ($9.21 inflation-adjusted)

In Nevada, employees must be paid the minimum rate of $9 an hour, but if the employer offers health benefits, you can be paid $8 an hour. The gradually until it hits $12 in 2024.

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

- Minimum wage in 2020: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

New Hampshire has the lowest minimum wage in New England. Surrounded by states , the Granite State pays the federally-mandated rate of $7.25.

New Jersey

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New Jersey

- Minimum wage in 2020: $11
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

from $10 an hour to $11 an hour in January 2020. It will rise to $12 an hour in January 2021 and ascend $1 per year through January 2024, when it will be $15 an hour.

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New Mexico

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New Mexico

- Minimum wage in 2020: $9
- Minimum wage in 2000: $4.25 ($6.55 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.65 ($8.88 inflation-adjusted)

The minimum wage increased from $7.50 to $9聽per hour in January 2020. It is from $10.50 in 2021 to $12聽in 2023. In Albuquerque, the minimum wage is $9.35 per hour, and in Santa Fe City, it is $9.10 per hour.

New York

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New York

- Minimum wage in 2020: $11.80
- Minimum wage in 2000: $4.25 ($6.55 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

While the minimum wage in New York is $11.10 an hour, . Over 40,000 airport workers in the Empire State will feel the bump. In 1949, , with increased coverage for airport workers.

North Carolina

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North Carolina

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.75 ($9.21 inflation-adjusted)

While the state sits at a minimum wage of $7.25, it was first in line for state employees. About 9,000 state workers are celebrating in the Tar Heel State.

North Dakota

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North Dakota

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.60鈥�$3.10

North Dakota pays workers the federally-mandated minimum wage of $7.25, which has not increased since 2009. more than double the state鈥檚 minimum wage per hour.

Ohio

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Ohio

- Minimum wage in 2020: $8.70 (large employers) / $7.25 (small employers)
- Minimum wage in 2000: $2.80鈥�$4.25
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.30 ($7.71 inflation-adjusted)

Ohio's minimum wage (from $8.30), and rose to $8.70 in January 2020. The minimum rate for those earning tipped wages is Ohio was one of seven states that automatically increased their rates based on the cost of living.

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Oklahoma

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Oklahoma

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25 (large employers) / $2聽(small employers)
- Minimum wage in 2000: $2鈥�$5.15
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2聽($6.70 inflation-adjusted)

Workers in Oklahoma, where the minimum wage sits at the federally-mandated rate of $7.25, may be surprised to learn that . There is a growing from coast to coast to raise the minimum wage to $15.

Oregon

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Oregon

- Minimum wage in 2020: $11.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $6.50 ($10.01 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.90 ($9.72 inflation-adjusted)

from $10.75 to $11.25 on the first of July. On July 1, 2022, the wage will increase to $13.50 and will then be indexed to inflation beginning one year later.

Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

Fifty-two years ago, . Workers from Pennsylvania would have more buying power than they do today at their minimum wage rate of $7.25. State workers were just awarded an increase to , until their minimum wage reaches $15 per hour in 2024.

Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

- Minimum wage in 2020: $11.50
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.65 ($8.70 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.65 ($8.88 inflation-adjusted)

Rhode Island's minimum wage. The living wage for an individual is

South Carolina

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South Carolina

- Minimum wage in 2020: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 2000: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

South Carolina is one of five states that does not have a state-level minimum wage. President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the first federal minimum wage 80 years ago. , which would be about $4 per hour in today's money.

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South Dakota

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South Dakota

- Minimum wage in 2020: $9.30
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.30 ($7.71 inflation-adjusted)

South Dakota鈥檚 minimum wage In 2021, he hourly rate for tipped employees in 2021 will be half that rate, or $4.72 per hour.

Tennessee

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Tennessee

- Minimum wage in 2020: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 2000: no state-level minimum
- Minimum wage in 1980: no state-level minimum

Although the Tennessee economy was experiencing record-low unemployment rates prior to COVID-19, having a difficult time attracting workers because of the state鈥檚 minimum wage. Tennessee鈥檚 minimum wage has not changed in a decade, when lawmakers raised it from $5.58 to the federally-mandated $7.25.

Texas

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Texas

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $3.35 ($5.16 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $1.40 ($4.69 inflation-adjusted)

Texas workers earn the federally-mandated minimum wage of $7.25. In 1968, full-time minimum wage workers earned the equivalent of $20,600 a year, while those earning the current $7.25 in 2020 would only make $15,080.

Utah

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Utah

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.35鈥�$2.60

Utah workers are paid the federally-mandated minimum wage of $7.25. In 2018, .

Vermont

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Vermont

- Minimum wage in 2020: $10.96
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.75 ($8.86 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3.10 ($10.39 inflation-adjusted)

The Green Mountain's minimum wage sits at $10.96. Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a bill that by 2024. Each year, the minimum wage rises according to inflation.

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Virginia

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Virginia

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.35 ($7.87 inflation-adjusted)

Virginia hourly workers were among exactly the prevailing federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour in 2017. The percentage of hourly paid workers earning $7.25 or less declined from 2.7% in 2016 to 2.3% in 2017.

Washington

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Washington

- Minimum wage in 2020: $13.50
- Minimum wage in 2000: $6.50 ($10.01 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.30 ($7.71 inflation-adjusted)

Washington workers are being paid the , after the rate was increased from 聽California workers are being paid the third highest minimum rate in line at $13 per hour.

Washington DC

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Washington DC

- Minimum wage in 2020: $15
- Minimum wage in 2000: $6.15 ($9.47 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.50/$3.50

Washington D.C. has the highest minimum wage in the country at $15. While this rate is ; D.C. has a very high cost of living with .

West Virginia

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West Virginia

- Minimum wage in 2020: $8.75
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $2.20 ($7.37 inflation-adjusted)

West Virginia鈥檚 minimum wage of $8.75 is . In 1997, President Bill Clinton introduced legislation .

Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

- Minimum wage in 2020: $7.25
- Minimum wage in 2000: $5.15 ($7.93 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $3聽($10.05 inflation-adjusted)

Wisconsin workers earn the current federally-mandated minimum wage of $7.25. Federal minimum wage only rises when a bill is passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president.

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Wyoming

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Wyoming

- Minimum wage in 2020: $5.15
- Minimum wage in 2000: $1.60 ($2.46 inflation-adjusted)
- Minimum wage in 1980: $1.60 ($5.36 inflation-adjusted)

Wyoming workers have a kinship with hourly employees from Georgia: Both have the lowest minimum wage of $5.15 per hour. That is the same minimum wage that existed during a .