Significant disparities in minimum wage exist across states, particularly in the South

States at, above, or below the $7.25 federal minimum wage, in 2021

Map illustrating that in 2021, there were strong disparities among workers who earned at or below the federal minimum wage. Specifically, states in the South have higher percentages of workers who earned at or below the federal minimum wage.

Hover over or click to see data.

The federal minimum wage varies by state. In addition, in 2021, there were 20 states that did not have a minimum wage higher than the federally mandated minimum wage.

Map: Center for American Progress Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Characteristics of minimum wage workers, 2021, Table 3," available at https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/minimum-wage/2021/home.htm (last accessed May 2022); Economic Policy Institute, "Minimum Wage Tracker," available at https://www.epi.org/minimum-wage-tracker/ (last accessed June 2022).