The federal minimum wage has stayed at $7.25 an hour since 2009, but over 20 states will raise their minimum wages in 2025.
Once the new rates are in place, almost a dozen states will have a minimum wage of $15 or higher statewide. However, 21 states will not see any changes, and in most of these, the minimum wage is at or below the federal rate of $7.25.
Which States Are Raising Wages?
Starting January 1, 2025, 21 states will increase their minimum wage. In Oregon and Florida, the increases will take effect in July and September, while Washington, D.C., is expected to raise its rate in July.
Washington, D.C., already has the highest minimum wage at $17.50, and by 2025, the state of Washington will have the next highest at $16.66 an hour. States like California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York will also continue offering wages above $15. Delaware, Illinois, and Rhode Island will reach $15 an hour statewide for the first time.
Maryland and Massachusetts won’t increase their rates in 2025 but already have a $15 minimum wage.
It’s important to note that some cities and counties in these states have even higher minimum wages, and certain industries may require higher pay. For tipped workers, the minimum wage is often lower.
An interactive map shows where minimum wages are rising in 2025 and the specific rates for each state.
States Without Minimum Wages
As of December 2024, five states—Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina—do not have their own minimum wage. In Georgia and Wyoming, the minimum wage is just $5.15 an hour.
In these seven states, employers covered by federal labor laws must pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Will the Federal Minimum Wage Go Up in 2025?
It’s unclear if the federal minimum wage will increase anytime soon. Former President Donald Trump called the current $7.25 rate “a low number” in December.
Senator Bernie Sanders, who has long pushed for higher wages, expressed hope of working with President-elect Trump to raise the federal minimum wage. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sanders called $7.25 “an absolute disgrace,” saying it leaves millions of workers struggling to afford housing or feed their families.
Sanders suggested raising the minimum wage to $17 an hour and hopes for bipartisan support to achieve this goal.