4. Illinois
> Minimum wage: $8.25
> Pct. of workers in unions: 15.5% (12th highest)
> Cost of living: 17th lowest
> Median household income: $50,761 (21st highest)

Illinois’ minimum wage has historically increased along with the federal rate, until 2004, when the state’s wage was raised to $5.50 per hour, ahead of the national rate of $5.15. The next year, Illinois’ minimum wage increased an entire dollar per hour, and then another dollar in 2008. The minimum wage was raised $0.25 each
year since. This year, lawmakers have introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage again, as well as add an annual cost of living adjustment.

3. Nevada
> Minimum wage: $8.25
> Pct. of workers in unions: 15% (13th highest)
> Cost of living: 20th lowest
> Median household income: $51,525 (19th highest)

Nevada’s minimum wage is $8.25 per hour for those without employer-provided health insurance. For those with insurance, it is only $7.25 — the same as the federal rate. Before 2009, there was no such distinction. Before that year, Nevada also did not have an exceptionally high minimum wage. In 2007, for example, Nevada’s minimum wage was only $6.15 per hour, much lower than Connecticut’s minimum wage at the time of $7.65. Connecticut’s minimum wage now is also $8.25 per hour.

2. Oregon
> Minimum wage:  $8.50
> Pct. of workers in unions: 16.2% (10th highest)
> Cost of living: 14th highest
> Median household income: $50,526 (22nd highest)

Oregon’s minimum wage is currently the second highest in the country. It will increase by $0.30 in 2012, which is three times as much as it has increased between 2010 and 2011. The state has been one of the top-paying states for low-wage earners for many years now. In 2000, its minimum wage was $6.50 per hour. This was the highest minimum wage in the country and was only matched by Washington.

1. Washington
> Minimum wage: $8.67
> Pct. of workers in unions: 19.4% (4th highest)
> Cost of living: 15h highest
> Median household income: $56,253 (11th highest)

Washington’s minimum wage of $8.67 per hour is the highest in the country. It is significantly more than the federal rate of $7.25. The state has also announced that it will be increasing its minimum wage by $0.37 in 2012, the largest raise announced by any state at this time. This will increase the state’s minimum wage to $9.04 per hour, making Washington the first state to legally require employers to pay their employees more than $9 per hour.

Michael B. Sauter