This report covers the minimum wage revision status in major U.S. cities and states in July 2025, and California's special minimum wage system for healthcare facility workers.
Key Points
1. Overall Minimum Wage Revision Status
- Federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour since July 2009
- Washington D.C., major California cities, Alaska, Oregon, etc. revised on July 1
- 2-3% increase rates in regions adopting price-indexing systems
- About half of all 50 states set levels higher than federal minimum wage, continuing annual revisions
2. Revision Status in Major Regions
- Washington D.C.: $17.50 → $17.95 per hour (2.57% increase, price-indexed)
- San Francisco: $18.67 → $19.18 per hour (2.73% increase)
- Los Angeles: $17.28 → $17.87 per hour (3.41% increase)
- Alaska: $11.91 → $13.00 per hour (9.15% increase, phased increase)
- Oregon: Different levels set for urban/non-urban areas and Portland metro area
3. High-level Minimum Wages for Specific Industries
- California hotel employee minimum wage exceeds $20 per hour
- Los Angeles: $22.50 per hour (hotels with 60+ rooms, currently frozen)
- Long Beach: $25.00 per hour (hotel employees)
- West Hollywood: $20.22 per hour (hotel employees)
- Los Angeles aims for $30 per hour by 2028, but industry opposes
4. California's Minimum Wage for Healthcare Facility Workers
- State law enacted October 2023, implemented October 16, 2024
- Covers not only doctors and nurses but also janitors, cooks, security guards, etc.
- Phased increases in 4 categories by facility size (final target: $25 per hour)
- Large facilities: $23 → $24 per hour (reaching $25 in July 2026)
- Safety net hospitals: $18 → $18.63 per hour (reaching $25 in July 2033)
5. Future Trends and Challenges
- Florida: Planned increase from $13 → $14 per hour in September 2025
- High levels around $20 per hour becoming standard in major Washington State cities
- Unification of minimum wage systems for tipped workers (D.C. to match general workers by July 2027)
- Malibu, California postpones increase for one year due to wildfire impact
The article concludes that U.S. minimum wages vary greatly by region, with industry-specific high-level minimum wages particularly advancing in major West Coast cities, making the balance between responding to inflation and protecting workers a policy challenge.