Below is a listing of states that keep their minimum wage above the federal guideline minimum of $6.55 an hour. As wages are always a debate in Iowa I thought it would be interesting to see how we stack-up to these other states:
- Alaska (the state minimum wage is $7.15)
- Arizona (state minimum wage is $6.90, indexed to inflation)
- California (state minimum wage is $8.00)
- Colorado (state minimum wage is $7.02, indexed to inflation)
- Connecticut (state minimum wage is $7.65)
- Delaware (state minimum wage is $7.15)
- Florida (state minimum wage is $6.79, indexed to inflation)
- Hawaii (state minimum wage is $7.25)
- Illinois (state minimum wage increased to $7.75 on July 1)
- Iowa (state minimum wage is $7.25)
- Kentucky (state minimum wage increased to $6.55 on July 1)
- Maine (state minimum wage is $7.00)
- Massachusetts (state minimum wage is $8.00)
- Michigan (state minimum wage increased to $7.40 on July 1)
- Missouri (the state minimum wage is $6.65, indexed to inflation)
- New Jersey (the state minimum wage is $7.15)
- New York (state minimum wage is $7.15)
- Ohio (the state minimum wage is $7.00, indexed to inflation)
- Oregon (the state minimum wage is $7.95, indexed to inflation)
- Pennsylvania (the state minimum wage is $7.15)
- Rhode Island (the state minimum wage is $7.40)
- Vermont (the state minimum wage is $7.68, indexed to inflation)
- Washington (the state minimum wage is $8.07, indexed to inflation)
- West Virginia (The state minimum wage rose to $7.25 on July 1. Note: Many employers in West Virginia are exempt from state law and can pay the lower federal minimum wage.)
After seeing this listing do you think Iowa has a fair minimum wage or do we need an increase?
Nick,
I think with the cost gas and the increasing costs in our groceries that Iowa should look at rasing their minimum wage rates. No one can live on minimum wage, that would be more for our teens, students and a 2nd job. We surely can’t expect someone to live on $7.25/hr and pay rent.