4 ms·

It's oddly hard to get these statistics. The federal minimum wage doesn't apply to many states*. 18 states have no minimum wage or have it set as the federal (o

It's oddly hard to get these statistics. The federal minimum wage doesn't apply to many states*. 18 states have no minimum wage or have it set as the federal (only $7.25). Georgia and Wyoming set it LOWER than the federal (only $5.15). Some states are a little over in the $8 range. Both federal and states have different minimums for tipped workers. For example, the federal minimum for tipped workers is $2.13. In NY state it is $8.35. It's $9.35/hr in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester county. And it's $10/hr for tipped workers in NYC. So "what is minimum wage and how many people make it?" is an annoyingly complex question. One interesting stat is that about 28% of the US workforce makes under $15 an hour. *EDIT: I meant this as some states have a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage, so they don't show up in stats like "how many Americans make the federal minimum wage". Sorry for the poor original phrasing.

bpodgursky 5y ago
The federal minimum wage supersedes state ones, so "The federal minimum wage doesn't apply to many states" isn't true.
- Jtsummers 5y ago
  Yes and no. I thought that too, however there are some exceptions still to the federal minimum wage that permits states to set a lower pay. [0] goes into some of the details. However, the vast majority of workers will be paid at least federal minimum wage as I understand it. [0] https://www.debt.org/jobs/minimum-wage/ https://www.debt.org/jobs/minimum-wage/
- JohnTHaller 5y ago
  I meant more because those states have a higher minimum wage. Citizens in those states can't legally make the federal minimum wage, so they're excluded from statistics on "what percent of Americans make the federal minimum wage". I've edited the post to clarify. Additionally, Wyoming and Georgia have a lower state minimum wage. Employers in the state that are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum wage. Here's who that covers: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance/handy-reference-guide-flsa#2 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance/handy...

bpodgursky 5y ago

The federal minimum wage supersedes state ones, so "The federal minimum wage doesn't apply to many states" isn't true.

Jtsummers 5y ago
Yes and no. I thought that too, however there are some exceptions still to the federal minimum wage that permits states to set a lower pay. [0] goes into some of the details. However, the vast majority of workers will be paid at least federal minimum wage as I understand it. [0] https://www.debt.org/jobs/minimum-wage/ https://www.debt.org/jobs/minimum-wage/
JohnTHaller 5y ago
I meant more because those states have a higher minimum wage. Citizens in those states can't legally make the federal minimum wage, so they're excluded from statistics on "what percent of Americans make the federal minimum wage". I've edited the post to clarify. Additionally, Wyoming and Georgia have a lower state minimum wage. Employers in the state that are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum wage. Here's who that covers: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance/handy-reference-guide-flsa#2 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance/handy...