As of January 2025, the federal minimum wage stands at just $7.25 per hour despite calls for a $15 minimum wage.

According to our research, the top five cities in the United States with the highest minimum wage as of 2025 are:

• Burien, Wash.
• Tukwila, Wash.
• Renton, Wash.
• Seattle, Wash.
• SeaTac, Wash.

The Push for Higher Minimum Wages

Since its peak in 1968, the minimum wage relative to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:inflation and the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:cost of living has fallen steadily.

Prior to the early 2010s, few states and municipalities had minimum wages significantly ♔higher than the federal minimum wage. This changed when minimum wage wor𒀰kers came together to spread awareness about their plight.

These awareness campaigns were highly successful, drawing support from high-profile activists. These activists have since successfully pushed local governments in several cities to mandate higher minimum wages that e♈nable workers to be self-sufficient.

1. Burien, WA

As of January 2025, the minimum wage for employees of large employers in Burien, Wash. is $21.16 per hour. For employees of mid-sized employers, it is $20.16 per hour.

In Burien, large employers are those that have 500+ employees. Mid-sized employers have from 21 to 499 employees.

Burien's minimum wage is adjusted for inflation annually.

2. Tukwila, WA

As of January 2025, the minimum wage in Tukwila is $21.10 per hour for large employers and $20.10 for mid-sized employers.

On July 1, 2025 mid-size employers must raise the minimum wage it pays employees to equal that paid by large employers, or $21.10 per hour. Thereafter, the minimum wage for employees at large and mid-sized employers will be the same.

Large employers are those with more than 500 employees worldwide. Mid-size employers are those with 15 to 500 worldwide or revenue of more than $2 million earned in Tukwila.

Tukwila's minimum wage is adjusted for inflation annually.

3. Renton, WA

As of January 2025, the minimum wage in Renton is $20.90 per hour for large employers and $18.90 per hour for mid-sized employers.

On July 1, 2025, mid-size employers must increase the minimum wage they pay to $19.90.

In Renton, large employers are those with more than 500 employees. Mid-sized employers have at least 15 and no more than 500 employees.

Renton's minimum wage is adjusted for inflation annually.

4. Seattle, WA

As of January 2025, the minimum wage in Seattle is $20.76 per hour for any employer, regardless of size.

In June 2014, Seattle made history when it became the first city in the U.S. to raise the minimum wage for all workers in the city to $15 per hour.

Seattle's minimum wage is adjusted for inflation annually.

5. SeaTac, WA

As of January 2025, the minimum wage in SeaTac is $20.17 per hour for employees in the hospitality and transportation industries.

For employers with from 15 to 500 employees, the minimum wage is $20.10 per hour.

SeaTac's minimum wage is adjusted for inflation annually.

Several states have pa𓂃ssed bills that will eventually put all cities in their jurisdictions at $15 or more per hour. Wo𒐪rkers in some of these cities will have to wait a few years to benefit from the new minimum wage laws fully.

For example, Florida residents voted in November 2020 to increase the state’s minimum wage incrementally (beginning at $10 per hour on Sept. 30, 2021) until it reaches $15 per hour in September 2026. As of January 2025, it is $13 per hour.

Other states have minimum wages above the federal level. Overall, as of January 2025, 21 states had raised their rates.

The Bottom Line

The federal minimum wage of $7.25 has not increased since 2009 and is now too low to allow for families to live above the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:poverty line.

Due to demands from workers, many states, cities, and municipalities have a minimum wage above the federal rate. There continues to be a push to increase the federal minimum wage to $15, but it has been met with significant resistance.