Do you work in an industry that relies on minimum wage? Whether it’s a full-time gig or just a side hustle, minimum wage jobs are the backbone of our economy. Why not relocate to a state that has high minimum wage jobs. Let’s look at which state has the highest minimum wage.
What is minimum wage?
The minimum wage is the lowest possible price employers can pay their employees legally. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but the minimum goes beyond the federal minimum wage in many states.
What is the minimum wage for workers who receive tips?
Workers who receive tips have a different minimum wage than those who do not. The federal minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.33 currently. The employees must either receive at least standard minimum wage in tips or be paid a higher wage.
How does minimum wage affect cost of living?
Before you rent a moving van, you have to consider the cost of living for each state. A state may pay a higher minimum wage. But often, as a result, businesses have to raise their prices for goods and services. So, do your homework on the cost of living in a specific area before making a big move.
Is an increased minimum wage coming?
The federal minimum wage hasn’t increased since 2009. There is no federal ruling around raising the minimum wage. However, many states are passing bills to increase their minimum wage. So, keep your eye on a few prospective states when mapping out your minimum wage journey.
10 states with the highest minimum wage
Here are the ten states with the highest minimum wage. Check out to see if your state made the list.
| State | Minimum Wage Amount |
| Washington | $13.69 |
| Massachusetts | $13.50 |
| Connecticut | $13.00 |
| California | $13.00 |
| Oregon | $12.75 |
| New York | $12.50 |
| Colorado | $12.32 |
| Maine | $12.15 |
| Arizona | $12.15 |
| New Jersey | $12.00 |
6 tips to increase income making minimum wage
The minimum wage was designed to cover the costs of surviving, not necessarily living comfortably. Here are a few tips to increase your income if you’re making minimum wage.
Develop a side hustle
There are many ways that you can earn money in your local community. A good place to start to look is online message boards like Facebook and Nextdoor that focus on your local community. People are always looking for individuals to do odd jobs. The best part of a side hustle is that you usually decide which jobs you want to do on your terms.
Pet sit or babysit
Pet sitting and babysitting can help you earn good money quickly. The only qualification is that you need to be good with pets or children. If you fit that qualification, this can be a fun way to earn extra money. The upside is that people will pay a premium for quality pet care and childcare.
Sell your stuff
Selling items on the side can really add up, but you have to have something to sell. If you have the right eye, you can go into furniture flipping and cash in on your thrift store finds. You can also sell collectibles that you may come across at your house. There are so many ways to sell your stuff nowadays with Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, Etsy, and more!
Rideshare apps
If you have a car, you can earn extra money with rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. The great part about rideshare apps is that you can work whenever you want. Just log in and start making money on a night off. If it feels weird to have strangers in your car, try food delivery apps like Grubhub and UberEats.
Become a virtual assistant
You can be a virtual assistant from anywhere. So if you were looking for a way to make extra money that you can do from home, then a virtual assistant may be the right thing for you. Virtual assistant job tasks include making calls, confirming appointments, and other administrative tasks. So, try logging on to a platform like Upwork and giving it a try.
Ask for a raise
You may have noticed that there are “Help Wanted” signs hanging in nearly every business window. Companies are desperate for quality and dependable workers.
So, one of the easiest ways to make more money is simply asking for a raise. You will be surprised by how successful this can be for you. You can also ask for additional hours, which can generate more money for your account.
Earn beyond the minimum
If you’re juggling a minimum wage job, there are many ways for you to earn more money. You can relocate to a state where you will earn more each month. You can also supplement with a side hustle. The important thing to understand is that you have options.
FAQ
How does minimum wage compare to the cost of living?
Minimum wage does not support the cost of living. Consider asking for a raise or pursuing a side hustle.
Is the living wage the same as the cost of living?
The living wage is considered $16.54, which would support the cost of living in the U.S.
Which state has the highest state minimum wage?
Washington has the highest minimum wage at $13.69 per hour.
