<Tr> <Td> National London </Td> <Td> £ 8.75 £ 10.20 </Td> <Td> $7001118100000000000 ♠ 11.81 $7001137700000000000 ♠ 13.77 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United States </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> National Los Angeles New York City San Francisco </Td> <Td> $15.84 $17.70 $20.08 $20.32 </Td> <Td> $15.84 $17.70 $20.08 $20.32 </Td> </Tr> <P> Municipal regulation of wage levels began in some towns in the United Kingdom in 1524 . National minimum wage law began with the Trade Boards Act 1909, and the Wages Councils Act 1945 set minimum wage standards in many sectors of the economy . Wages Councils were abolished in 1993 and subsequently replaced with a single statutory national minimum wage by the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, which is still in force . The rates are reviewed each year by the country's Low Pay Commission . From 1 April 2016 the minimum wage has been paid as a mandatory National Living Wage for workers over 25 . It is being phased in between 2016 and 2020 and is set at a significantly higher level than previous minimum wage rates . By 2020 it is expected to have risen to at least £ 9 per hour and represent a full - time annual pay equivalent to 60% of the median UK earnings . The National Living Wage is nevertheless lower than the value of the Living Wage calculated by the Living Wage Foundation . Some organisations voluntarily pay a living wage to their staff, at a level somewhat higher than the statutory level . From September 2014 all NHS Wales staff have been paid a minimum of the "living wage" recommended by the Living Wage Commission . About 2,400 employees received an initial salary increase of up to £ 470 above the UK - wide Agenda for Change rates . </P>

What is a livable wage in the us