# Is $15 now the standard minimum wage?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 6, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207 "2022-08-06T17:54:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2022, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207/21 "2022-08-10T00:04:46Z")

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One of the problems is that the trend to allow immigration to the highly educated/privileged is ongoing when a significant number of the people we need are actually in the lower education/physical labor category. I mean sure, we need scientists and engineers and the like, but there are lots of people who’d be glad to be allowed in and permitted to work in something like retail or as a coffee barista.

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**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2022, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207/22 "2022-08-10T00:18:10Z")

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It is $14.49 in Washington State where I live.

I had to look that up even though the agency I work for literally sets the minimum wage. ☺

(I just do IT, I’m not involved in the important stuff.)

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**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207/23 "2022-08-10T22:54:10Z")

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Hence, the need to modify our immigration laws.

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**Author:** ![Happytree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happytree/32/3555_2.png) [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2022, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207/24 "2022-08-10T23:44:13Z")

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In my area, fast food/grocery/retail jobs start anywhere between $10 per hr to $15 per hr.

I don’t know of any jobs that pay less than $10 an hour anymore.

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**Author:** ![filmstar-en](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207/25 "2022-08-11T18:46:39Z")

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As an international comparison, the UK has a national minimum adult wage rate of $11.59. It is illegal to pay less than the minimum wage. Even the Conservatives have embraced it as a national policy. That battle was won long ago.

In London, where the cost of living is more expensive, a supermarket worker will get about $14 an hour. There are help wanted signs everywhere, especially in hospitality jobs. Prices are going up everywhere.

Inflation and the cost of living crisis is causing demands for higher wages and strikes are becoming more frequent. The economic forecasts are looking very grim. Stagnant economy and inflation.

I think this is a trend affecting many economies worldwide. The gap between a minimum wage and a ‘living’ wage is going to grow wider.

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