City vs State Minimum Wage: Which One Applies?
When a city or county sets a minimum wage above the state's, the higher local rate wins. How local minimum wages work in Seattle, NYC, LA, Chicago and more.
Minimum wage isn't just a federal or state number. Many cities and counties set their own, and where they do, the highest applicable rate is the one you must be paid.
The highest rate wins
Federal, state, and local minimum wages stack: an employer must pay whichever is highest. Seattle ($21.30), Tukwila and several California and Colorado cities run well above their state minimum, which is already above the federal $7.25.
Local rates change often, including mid-year
Many local minimums re-index to inflation, some on January 1 and others on July 1. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Portland and Montgomery County all step up on July 1. Always confirm the current local figure.
See our city pages for the 2026 local rate, how far it sits above the state minimum, and a pay calculator pre-set to that state.