Congress will soon consider a boost in the minimum wage. An impetus has been the recent increases by several states in their minimum wages. The U.S. Department of Labor said on Friday that it would raise its hourly wage to $10.10 from $7.25 next year. States with high minimum wage typically have low levels of unemployment and high cost of living. Some states have wage minimums much lower than the present national standard. The District of Columbia, whose minimum of $4.85 is the highest in the country, actually has seven other "minimum wages," all of which are lower than $4.85. A Chamber of Commerce spokesman says that states are in a better position to set minimum standards since the amount paid to a worker is determined by local supply and demand.
Congress will soon consider a boost in the minimum wage. An impetus has been the recent increases by several states in their minimum wages. The U.S. Department of Labor said on Friday that it would raise its hourly wage to $10.10 from $7.25 next year. States with high minimum wage typically have low levels of unemployment and high cost of living. Some states have wage minimums much lower than the present national standard. A Chamber of Commerce spokesman says that states are in a better position to set minimum standards since the amount paid to a worker is determined by local supply and demand.