Is an hour of work in California worth the same as in Texas? Which states pay more?

The minimum wage in the United States in 2025 varies by state, job type, and even the city where you work. Naturally, this creates a diverse—and sometimes confusing—landscape for job seekers or those planning to move.

That’s why in this post, you’ll discover the average wages in the U.S., from the federal minimum to state averages. This will help if you’re thinking about migrating to the U.S. for work or simply want a better understanding of the job market.

How Much Do They Pay per Hour in the U.S.? Minimum and Average Wage by State

What Is the Minimum Wage?

It’s the lowest hourly amount that U.S. law allows an employer to pay a worker. In other words, it’s the minimum income you can legally receive per hour worked.

This wage floor is regulated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The agency responsible for ensuring employer compliance is the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor.

How Much Do They Pay per Hour in the U.S.?

You could say there are two types of minimum wage in the U.S.: federal and state.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and applies nationwide to most non-exempt workers—that is, those entitled to overtime pay.

This rate has been in place since 2009 and serves as the national baseline.

However, each state (and even some cities or counties) can set its own minimum wage, which is usually higher than the federal rate.

When this happens, the law requires that the worker be paid the more favorable rate—that is, the higher amount. These types of differences reflect how U.S. customs and traditions vary from region to region and apply to the workplace as well.

What Is the Minimum Wage in Each U.S. State?

Who Is Entitled to Minimum Wage in the U.S.?

There are many cultural differences between the U.S., Mexico, and other countries—including labor practices and workers’ rights, which vary by nation.

In the U.S., not all workers receive the full minimum wage. Although the federal law sets a minimum of $7.25 per hour, there are exceptions.

For instance, tipped workers like servers can earn $2.13/hour if their tips bring them up to the legal minimum.

There are also salaried workers who must earn at least $684/week.

Young workers (20 or younger) may legally be paid a reduced wage of $4.25/hour during their first 90 working days.

In other cases—such as some agricultural jobs, apprenticeships, or special employment conditions—the pay may be lower than the federal minimum.

Jobs and Profiles That Earn Minimum Wage in the U.S.

The jobs that most commonly pay minimum wage in the U.S. tend to fall within specific sectors—those with high turnover, lower educational requirements, or hourly shifts, such as:

• Food services. This industry has the highest percentage of workers earning minimum wage or less (12%), especially due to tip reliance. Common roles include servers, cooks, and cashiers.

• Personal care occupations. This is the second largest group earning the minimum wage or less (3.2%). It includes hairdressers, manicurists, cosmetologists, and others.

• Young workers (ages 16 to 24). More likely to earn the minimum wage than older workers. 4.3% of them earn $7.25/hour or less.

• People without a high school diploma. 3.1% earn $7.25 or less, compared to only 1.2% of those with a college degree or higher.

As you can see, these groups often share traits like limited education, high competition, and limited job conditions—keeping them within the federal minimum wage bracket.

DolarApp for Sending or Receiving Money from the U.S.

If you’re in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, or Argentina, you can support a family member in the U.S. through DolarApp.

How?

With our app, you can manage digital dollars, allowing you to send money to the U.S. with just a 3 USDc fee.

What do you need to do?

• Download DolarApp on your mobile device.

• Activate a USDc account.

• Maintain a positive balance in USDc.

• Add your recipient.

• Send the funds.

It is a simple and different way to international transfers offered by local banks. In addition, you can also receive USDc and convert them to your currency without paying additional fees.

We offer a fair exchange rate for you.