Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

[evanovitch]

<span style="font-weight: bold">A look at minimum wages across the country</span>

When someone -- radio talk-show hosts, political pundits, your angry relative waving a dinner roll at you on Thanksgiving -- discusses state and federal rights, it's usually about something rather controversial. The topics are usually left out of polite conversation for fear of enraging the opposing side.

Lost in the shuffle of touchy subjects is the issue of minimum wage. Plenty of dust has been raised over the issue, but most people just accept the fact that there is a federal minimum wage and a state one (or at least the option for a state one). Regardless of whether you think all employers in all states should be held to the same wage or you believe it's a case-by-case choice, you'd be surprised to see how much wages vary across the country.

As food for thought, we decided to look at how much the state-defined minimum wage is in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Then we calculated how much you would earn if you earned that hourly rate and worked 40 hours per week for 52 weeks. <span style="font-weight: bold">Could you, in your current situation, survive on that income?</span> <span style="font-style: italic">Keep in mind that at the federal minimum wage of $6.55, a worker would earn $13,624 per year. This will give you an idea of how your compensation stacks up against the minimum wage in your state.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Note:</span> Each state has its own guidelines for compensation. In some places, you're guaranteed an increased income if you work a certain amount of consecutive days or if you work overtime. Some states don't require overtime compensation if your monthly income is above a certain threshold. You can be exempt from minimum wage depending on your occupation, also. A waitress might have a base pay of $3.50 per hour but could earn enough tips to compensate for the difference. Basically, no two states are alike, so you should investigate what policies are in place where you live.



<span style="font-weight: bold">Alabama</span>
Minimum wage: No state minimum wage/$6.55*
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Alaska</span>
Minimum wage: $7.15
Annual income: $14,872

<span style="font-weight: bold">Arkansas</span>
Minimum wage: $6.25
Annual income: $13,000
<span style="font-weight: bold">
Arizona</span>
Minimum wage: $7.25
Annual income: $15,080
<span style="font-weight: bold">
California</span>
Minimum wage: $8.00
Annual income: $16,640

<span style="font-weight: bold">Colorado</span>
Minimum wage: $7.28
Annual income: $15,142

<span style="font-weight: bold">Connecticut</span>
Minimum wage: $8.00
Annual income: $16,640

<span style="font-weight: bold">Delaware</span>
Minimum wage: $7.15
Annual income: $14,872

<span style="font-weight: bold">Washington, D.C.</span>
Minimum wage: $7.55
Annual income: $15,704

<span style="font-weight: bold">Florida</span>
Minimum wage: $7.21
Annual income: $14,997

<span style="font-weight: bold">Georgia</span>
Minimum wage: $5.15
Annual income: $10,712

<span style="font-weight: bold">Hawaii</span>
Minimum wage: $7.25
Annual income: $15,080

<span style="font-weight: bold">Idaho</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Illinois</span>
Minimum wage: $7.75
Annual income: $16,120

<span style="font-weight: bold">Indiana</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Iowa</span>
Minimum wage: $7.25
Annual income: $15,080

<span style="font-weight: bold">Kansas</span>
Minimum wage: $2.65
Annual income: $5,512

<span style="font-weight: bold">Kentucky</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Louisiana</span>
Minimum wage: No state minimum wage/$6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Maine</span>
Minimum wage: $7.25
Annual income: $15,080

<span style="font-weight: bold">Maryland</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Massachusetts</span>
Minimum wage: $8.00
Annual income: $16,640

<span style="font-weight: bold">Michigan</span>
Minimum wage: $7.40
Annual income: $15,392

<span style="font-weight: bold">Minnesota</span>
Minimum wage: $6.15
Annual income: $12,792

<span style="font-weight: bold">Mississippi</span>
Minimum wage: No state minimum wage/$6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Missouri</span>
Minimum wage: $7.05
Annual income: $14,664

<span style="font-weight: bold">Montana</span>
Minimum wage: $6.90
Annual income: $14,352

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nebraska</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nevada</span>
Minimum wage: $6.85
Annual income: $14,248

<span style="font-weight: bold">New Hampshire</span>
Minimum wage: $7.25
Annual income: $15,080

<span style="font-weight: bold">New Jersey</span>
Minimum wage: $7.15
Annual income: $14,872

<span style="font-weight: bold">New Mexico</span>
Minimum wage: $7.50
Annual income: $15,600

<span style="font-weight: bold">New York</span>
Minimum wage: $7.15
Annual income: $14,872

<span style="font-weight: bold">North Carolina</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">North Dakota</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Ohio</span>
Minimum wage: $7.30
Annual income: $15,184

<span style="font-weight: bold">Oklahoma</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Oregon</span>
Minimum wage: $8.40
Annual income: $17,472

<span style="font-weight: bold">Pennsylvania</span>
Minimum wage: $7.15
Annual income: $14,872

<span style="font-weight: bold">Rhode Island</span>
Minimum wage: $7.40
Annual income: $15,392

<span style="font-weight: bold">South Carolina</span>
Minimum wage: No state minimum wage/$6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">South Dakota</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Tennessee</span>
Minimum wage: No state minimum wage/$6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Texas</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Utah</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Vermont</span>
Minimum wage: $8.06
Annual income: $16,765

<span style="font-weight: bold">Virginia</span>
Minimum wage: $6.55
Annual income: $13,624

<span style="font-weight: bold">Washington</span>
Minimum wage: $8.55
Annual income: $17,784

<span style="font-weight: bold">West Virginia</span>
Minimum wage: $7.25
Annual income: $15,080

<span style="font-weight: bold">Wisconsin</span>
Minimum wage: $6.50
Annual income: $13,520

<span style="font-weight: bold">Wyoming</span>
Minimum wage: $5.15
Annual income: $10,712

<span style="font-weight: bold">*In states where there is no defined minimum wage, the federal wage becomes the default.</span>

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

[RichD]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

di you see the documentary (by the guy who did looking for bin laden) called 30 days on minimum wage?

[evanovitch]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

no..sadly, not watching as much tv as fuss time...di ongle ting mi HAFFI see dese days is Y n R

[Gen]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

yup i did on less while in college cant do that now wid pickney no way jose

saw the documentary rich.

a reporter on cnn did a blog on &quot;30 days on food stamp&quot; it supposed to still ovah deh.

[RichD]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/morgan-spurlocks-30-days-living-on-minimum-wage.html

[Gen]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

nuh him same one do supersize me (mcdonalds fir 30 days)

nevah know him did a bin laden one must look fi it


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RichD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">di you see the documentary (by the guy who did looking for bin laden) called 30 days on minimum wage? </div></div>

[RichD]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

yes is him same one ..i think its called &quot;Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden&quot;

[Stormmey]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

Dear God how can anyone survive on that type of wages

[evanovitch]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stormmey1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dear God how can anyone survive on that type of wages </div></div>

to hear the Republicans etc tawk, u should be able to pull uself up by u bootstraps wid dem wages....an dem fight any increases too

[tsophra]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

if i had a sugar daddy to take care of housing, food, clothing,utilities..yes I could

[Pepper]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

I wonder if that 5.15 min wage of Wyoming is a typo? I know its Wyoming...but isn't that below the federal min? Can they do that?

To answer the question...based on Florida's min wage. I would have to rent a room, take the bus and eat ramen noodles at least 3 times a week. I suppose if I had no other choice, I would have to do it.

[Hush Darlin]

Re: Could You Survive on Minimum Wage?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pepper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wonder if that 5.15 min wage of Wyoming is a typo? I know its Wyoming...but isn't that below the federal min? Can they do that?

To answer the question...based on Florida's min wage. I would have to rent a room, take the bus and eat ramen noodles at least 3 times a week. I suppose if I had no other choice, I would have to do it. </div></div>
so take a look at Kansas

<span style="font-weight: bold"> Kansas
Minimum wage: $2.65
Annual income: $5,512
</span>