Quote:
Originally Posted by ApK
States have minimum wages that are often higher than federal minimum. This year NJ went to just over $14/hr.
And, of course, many jobs start higher than minimum, and minimum wage is a starting wage. Even in a "minimum wage job" pay typically increases if you stay a while and provide some value. You're not supposed to be planning a long term career and raising a family on minimum wage.
|
Individual cities and counties can have a minimum wage higher than either the federal or state minimum wage.
Which is why Seatac WA has a minimum wage of US$19.06/hour, as compared to a King County minimum wage of US$18.69 and a Washington state minimum wage of US$15.75, and a federal minimum wage of US$7.25.
For all practical purposes, US$20.00 is the minimum wage for King County, and the surrounding counties. Advertise a pay scale of less than that, and you will have few, if any applicants.
When the minimum wage was first proposed, the theory was that somebody earning a minimum wage would be able to have a wife and raise two children, without needing assistance, financial or other, from third parties. The target income was solid lower-middle class.