The states with the highest minimum wage

Former McDonald’s USA CEO Ed Rensi argues the 2020 Democratic candidates’ proposed minimum wage increases would be damaging to small businesses and will result in higher prices for consumers. He also discusses decreasing SNAP participation and plant-based fast food trends.

As it stands, the majority of hourly workers in the United States are paid at least $7.25 an hour.

Since the bill mandating a minimum wage was passed on June 25, 1938, and signed by President Franklin D.Roosevelt, coming under the Fair Labor Standards Act, has been a regular bone of contention for politicians, unions and the general population.

The federal minimum wage has remained unchanged since 2009 when it was raised from $5.15 per hour. However, several states and many individual cities have raised that benchmark.

THIS STATE HAS THE LOWEST MINIMUM WAGE IN AMERICA

Leading the pack with the highest minimum wage is Washington, D.C., whose minimum wage is $14 per hour. That benchmark is slated to climb to $15 per hour in mid-2020, according to a report by US News, which analyzed the states with the highest minimum wage.

(AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Heading into a new decade, 20 states raised their minimum wage requirements for the country’s workers with four more set to hike their wage floor before the end of the year, US News reported.

Following right behind the District of Columbia is Washington State, which pays $13.50 an hour and California, which requires $13 an hour. Those wages took effect Jan. 1.

Massachusetts has a $12.75 minimum wage, and Colorado, Arizona and Maine have a $12 minimum wage. Likewise, those wages took effect Jan. 1.

WOULD HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE BE A DISADVANTAGE FOR AMERICAN FARMERS?

Connecticut will reach the $12 an hour mark in September. Additionally, New York, whose minimum wage is $11.80 an hour, is set to increase it to $12.50 an hour by the end of the year.

These levels, however, are met by sharp contrast with Georgia and Wyoming, which have not raised their minimum wages from $5.15 per hour, even after the federal minimum wage floor was boosted to $7.25 in 2009.

As of 2018, 1.7 million workers, about 2 percent of all hourly non-self-employed workers, earned wages at or below the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, according to estimates by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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This story contains material from the previous FOX Business reports.