Which U.S. State Has the Coolest Minimum Wage in 2025?
Thinking about working part-time in college or just curious where your hourly hustle gets you the most? We looked at the 2025 minimum wage data and ranked states based on how much they pay per hour, from chill to top-tier.
Adaanist Team
July 11, 2025
By someone curious where your hourly hustle earns the most
Thinking about working part-time in college or just curious where your hourly hustle gets you the most? We looked at the 2025 minimum wage data and ranked states based on how much they pay per hour, from chill to top-tier.
Spoiler: Not all states are created equal, and some are still stuck at $7.25. But others? They’re actually paying livable, student-friendly wages.
Let’s rank the coolest (and weakest) states to work in, purely by minimum wage numbers.
🏆 Top 5 States With the Best Minimum Wage in 2025
Gif by pbsdigitalstudios on Giphy
These states are paying $16 or more per hour - and they’re not playing around:
Washington (WA) | $16.66 |
California (CA) | $16.50 |
Connecticut (CT) | $16.35 |
New York (NY) NYC, Westchester, and Long Island | $16.00 |
Oregon (OR) Portland Metro | $15.95 |
These are the states where 1 hour of work = 1 fast-casual meal, and maybe even a coffee.
💸 The $15 Club (Still Very Cool)
These states hit the golden $15/hr mark or just slightly under, making them solid picks for part-time earners:
Massachusetts (MA) | $15.00 |
Maryland (MD) | $15.00 |
Delaware (DE) | $15.00 |
New Jersey (NJ) | $15.13 |
Illinois (IL) | $15.00 |
Florida (FL) | $13.00 (moving to $15.00 by Sept 2026) |
Colorado (CO) | $14.42 |
Arizona (AZ) | $14.35 |
Hawaii (HI) | $14.00 |
Vermont (VT) | $13.67 |
Alaska (AK) | $11.73 (highest in its region, though not quite $15) |
😬 The Federal Minimum Club (Still $7.25)
20 states are still paying the $7.25 federal minimum wage, which hasn’t changed since 2009. These include:
Louisiana | Texas |
Pennsylvania | Georgia |
Indiana | North Carolina |
Utah | Wisconsin |
North Dakota | Oklahoma |
Iowa | Kansas |
South Carolina | Tennessee |
Idaho | Wyoming |
Kentucky | Mississippi |
Alabama | New Hampshire |
That’s less than half of what someone in Washington makes for the exact same hour of work.
🔥 States That Raised the Bar in 2025
Gif by pudgypenguins on Giphy
21 states increased their minimum wage in 2025. These are the places actively trying to match inflation and improve earnings.
They’re sending a message:
Workers deserve better
Paychecks should match rising costs
Part-time earners count too
If you’re planning to study, work, or live in one of these states, you’re already ahead.
🧠 Real Talk: Where Would You Rather Work?
Let’s say you work 20 hours a week part-time:
In Washington, that’s about $333/week before taxes
In Texas, that’s $145/week
Same effort, very different paycheck.
If money plays a role in your college decision or side hustle plans, minimum wage may matter.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Gif by JefCaine on Giphy
Minimum wage isn’t the whole story - cost of living, taxes, and housing still count - but if we’re just talking value for your time, these high-wage states are in a league of their own.
Want to earn more, spend smarter, and save faster?
Stick with the states that know your time is worth more than $7.25.
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