<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Parts of this article (those related to 2017 changes) need to be updated . Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information . (January 2017) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Parts of this article (those related to 2017 changes) need to be updated . Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information . (January 2017) </Td> </Tr> <P> The minimum wage in the United States is set by US labor law and a network of state, and local laws . Employers generally must pay workers the highest minimum wage prescribed by federal, state, and local law . As of July 2016, the federal government mandates a nationwide minimum wage of $7.25 per hour . As of October 2016, there are 29 states with a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum . From 2014 to 2015, nine states increased their minimum wage levels through automatic adjustments, while increases in 11 other states occurred through referendum or legislative action . In real terms, the federal minimum wage peaked near $10.00 per hour in 1968, using 2014 inflation - adjusted dollars . </P> <P> Beginning in January 2017, Massachusetts and Washington state will have the highest minimum wages, Aside from Santa Fe NM, which is currently at $11.09 which is still #1 for Highest Min Wage in the country . Massachusetts and Washington state come in #2 . New York City's minimum wage will be $15.00 per hour by the end of 2018 . There is a racial difference for support of a higher minimum wage with most black and Hispanic individuals supporting a $15.00 federal minimum wage, and 54% of whites opposing it . In 2015, about 3 percent of White, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino workers earned the federal minimum wage or less . Among Black workers, the percentage was about 4 percent . </P>

When is the last time the federal minimum wage was raised