Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour, prompting numerous cities and states to raise the minimum wage independently. Here are the 10 highest minimum wage cities.
#10 El Cerrito, California – $17.92
From January 1, 2024, any employee working at least two hours in a particular workweek within the City of El Cerrito must receive a minimum wage of $17.92 per hour, irrespective of the employer’s size.
#9 San Francisco, California – $18.07
All employees working in San Francisco, including part-time and temporary employees, must receive at least the San Francisco minimum wage, which is presently $18.07.
As of July 1, 2023, the San Francisco minimum wage has been raised to $18.07 in accordance with Section 12R.4 of the San Francisco Administrative Code. This minimum wage rate will be modified in line with the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index.
#8 Denver, Colorado – $18.29
At the beginning of 2024, Denver’s minimum wage rose to $18.29 per hour. The city’s minimum wage is adjusted annually based on the consumer price index to align with the cost of living in Denver, as stated in a city release. The increase in 2024 was 5.8%, which is lower than the 8.94% increase in 2023.
#7 Sunnyvale, California – $18.55
On January 1, 2024, the hourly minimum wage in Sunnyvale, California, was increased to $18.55 from $17.95. This minimum wage is applicable to employees who work in the city for at least two hours in a calendar week, as per Sunnyvale’s minimum wage code.
#6 Emeryville, California – $18.67
On July 1, 2023, the City of Emeryville’s Minimum Wage annual increase came into effect. According to the ordinance, the new hourly living wage rate for 2023-2024 will be $18.67.
#5 Mountain View, California – $18.75
The minimum wage in Mountain View, California, has been raised to $18.75 per hour, effective January 1st, 2024. Employers subject to the Mountain View Business License Tax or those with a facility in Mountain View are required to comply with this new change.
#4 West Hollywood, California – $19.08
On July 1, 2023, the citywide minimum wage for all businesses in West Hollywood, California is $19.08. This rate will remain in effect from July 1, 2023, until June 30, 2024, after which it will be adjusted again based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).
#3 SeaTac, Washington – $19.71
On January 1, 2024, the City of SeaTac adjusted the city’s minimum wage to $19.71 per hour. It’s important to note that this minimum wage increase will not include tips, gratuities, service charges, and commissions.
#2 Seattle, Washington – $19.97
Small employers with 500 or fewer employees will see the minimum wage rate increase to $17.25 per hour if the employer pays $2.72 per hour toward medical benefits and/or if the employee earns $2.72 per hour in tips. If not, the employer must pay $19.97 per hour. Meanwhile, large employers with 501 or more employees will be required to pay a minimum wage rate of $19.97 per hour.
#1 Tukwila, Washington – $20.29
In Tukwila, the minimum wage rate for large employers (more than 500 employees worldwide) raised to $20.29 per hour on January 1, 2024. For mid-size employers (15 to 500 employees worldwide or over $2 million of annual gross revenue in Tukwila), the minimum wage increased to $18.29 per hour on January 1, 2024, and then to $19.29 per hour on July 1, 2024.
Who is most likely to earn minimum wage?
The 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics report highlights the demographic characteristics of workers making minimum wage or less.
- Young: 45% are under the age of 25.
- Women: 2% of women compared to 1% of men.
- Black: 2% are Black compared to 1% among all other race and ethnicity groups.
- Part-time workers: 3% work fewer than 35 hours per week compared to 1% of full-time workers.
- In the leisure and hospitality industry: 3 in 5 of all workers at or below the federal minimum wage level work in restaurants, bars and other food services.
- Students, those with some college experience or associate degree holders: 2% have some college experience or hold a two-year degree compared to 1% of workers without a high school diploma or those with a bachelor’s degree and higher.
