The new federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25 per hour effective as of July 24, 2009.  The change reflects the third and final installment federal minimum wage increase as amended under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Most States follow the federal minimum wage with few exceptions .  California ($8.00), Washington DC ($8.25), Illinois ($8.00), Massachusetts ($8,00) and Washington ($8.55) all have State minimum wages higher than the federal.

Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, Wisconsin and Wymoning have no minimum wages or set below the Federal minimum wage guideline.