Key Facts: United States Wages
- Country
- United States (USA)
- Continent
- North America
- Currency
- United States Dollar (USD)
- Minimum Wage
- $7.25 /hr
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- $6,228 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- $74,736 /year
- Median Individual Income
- $44,225 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-27
United States — Average Salary & Wages
United States Dollar (USD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in United States is
$74,736 a year
But half of all workers earn less than $44,225 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in United States is $7.25/hr as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is $6,228 ($6,228 USD). The median monthly income is $3,685.42 ($3,685.42 USD).
The United States' minimum wage is among the highest for North America, ranking #10 out of 32 countries with statutory minimum wages. Over the past 45 years, the minimum wage has increased by 116% in nominal terms. The standard work week is 40 hours.
Mean annual wage across all occupations. Net is estimated after federal/state taxes and FICA.
• SECTOR RATES
Washington, D.C.
$17.95 /hr
Since 2025-07-01
District of Columbia minimum wage. Increases to $18.40/hr on July 1, 2026 per the DC Minimum Wage Act.
Washington, D.C. (from July 2026)
$18.40 /hr
Since 2026-07-01
Scheduled increase per DC Minimum Wage Act annual adjustment.
Washington State
$17.13 /hr
Since 2026-01-01
CPI-indexed annually by L&I. Next adjustment announced September 30.
New York (NYC, Long Island, Westchester)
$17 /hr
Since 2026-01-01
Applies to New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. Rest of state: $16.00/hr.
Connecticut
$16.94 /hr
Since 2026-01-01
CPI-indexed annually effective each January 1.
California
$16.90 /hr
Since 2026-01-01
CPI-W indexed annually. Sector-specific rates apply in fast food ($20/hr) and healthcare ($23/hr).
New York (rest of state)
$16 /hr
Since 2026-01-01
All areas of New York outside NYC, Long Island, and Westchester County.
New Jersey
$15.92 /hr
Since 2026-01-01
CPI-adjusted annually. Long-term care direct care staff rate: $18.92/hr.
Massachusetts
$15 /hr
Since 2023-01-01
Rate has not increased since January 2023.
20 states at federal floor
$7.25 /hr
Since 2009-07-24
Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Federal FLSA rate applies to covered employers in all these states.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 1981, the minimum wage has grown +116% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In United States, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $7.25/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in United States earns $1,257/mo. That is 20% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- $1,257 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 20% gross, before tax
- Nominal growth
- +116% since 1981
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- $7.25
- Monthly
- $1,256.67Based on 173.33 hours/month (40 hrs/week)
- Annual
- $15,080Based on 2,080 hours/year (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks)
Federal minimum wage unchanged since 2009. As of 2026, 30 states and D.C. have set higher minimums. 20 states remain at the federal floor of $7.25/hr. The highest jurisdictions are D.C. ($17.95), Washington State ($17.13), New York City/Long Island/Westchester ($17.00), Connecticut ($16.94), and California ($16.90).
Tipped wage : $2.13 /hr. Federal tipped minimum wage. Employer must make up the difference if tips do not bring the employee to $7.25/hr.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Overtime required after 40 hours/week under FLSA. No federal maximum hours for workers 16+.
States & Territories · 56 regions
44 more states & territories — $7.25 – $15 /hr
How United States Compares
| Metric | United States | North America Avg. | North America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $7.25/hr | $5.81/hr | $17.13/hr (Bermuda) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $6,228/mo | $1,569.85/mo | $6,228/mo (United States) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Cyprus | $7.15 |
| New Caledonia | $7.04 |
| Croatia | $6.90 |
| Japan | $6.89 |
| South Korea | $6.62 |
| United States | $7.25 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Compare United States
Canada 
Mexico 
Bahamas 
Barbados 
United Kingdom 
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Belize 
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Dominican Republic 
China Germany United Kingdom 
India 
Japan 
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South Korea More in North America
Anguilla 
Antigua and Barbuda 
Aruba Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for United States on our sister site.
Cost of living in United States on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in United States?
The minimum wage in United States is $7.25/hr, effective since 2009-07-24. Federal minimum wage unchanged since 2009. As of 2026, 30 states and D.C. have set higher minimums. 20 states remain at the federal floor of $7.25/hr. The highest jurisdictions are D.C. ($17.95), Washington State ($17.13), New York City/Long Island/Westchester ($17.00), Connecticut ($16.94), and California ($16.90).
What is the average salary in United States?
The average gross monthly salary in United States is $6,228 (approximately $6,228 USD). Mean annual wage across all occupations. Net is estimated after federal/state taxes and FICA. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).
How many hours is the standard work week in United States?
The standard work week in United States is 40 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Overtime required after 40 hours/week under FLSA. No federal maximum hours for workers 16+.
How has the minimum wage in United States changed over time?
The minimum wage in United States has changed as follows: $3.35 in 1981, $3.80 in 1990, $4.25 in 1991, $4.75 in 1996, $5.15 in 1997, $5.85 in 2007, $6.55 in 2008, $7.25 in 2009, $7.25 in 2020, $7.25 in 2024, $7.25 in 2025, $7.25 in 2026. This represents 12 recorded adjustments.
What is the average salary in United States in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in United States is approximately $6,228 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does United States's minimum wage compare to the North America average?
United States's minimum wage ranks #10 out of 32 countries with statutory minimum wages in North America, placing it above the median for North America.
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