United States · Salaries
Typical salaries by role in United States — pay ranges, taxes, and cost-of-living context.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
US pay is largely market-set, with the federal minimum wage as the legal floor — and that floor has been USD 7.25/hour since 2009, so in much of the country it is no longer the operative number. Many states and cities set higher minimums, and where they do, the higher rate applies. For earnings by occupation and area, use the Bureau of Labor Statistics' OEWS rather than crowd-sourced salary sites. The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division enforces minimum wage and overtime under the FLSA.
US pay is largely market-set. The legal floor is the federal minimum wage (USD 7.25/hour, unchanged since 2009), but many states and cities set higher minimums and the higher rate applies. For official earnings data by occupation and area, the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) is the authoritative source — avoid relying on crowd-sourced salary sites.
- Federal minimum wage is USD 7.25/hour (since 2009); where a state/city sets a higher rate, the higher one applies — check your state.
- The Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division) enforces minimum wage and overtime under the FLSA.
- For official wages by occupation and region, use the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS).
- Pay is quoted gross; income tax and payroll deductions reduce take-home — see this country's tax page.
- 1
Check your state and city, not just the federal floor
Where a state or city sets a higher rate, the higher one applies. Because the federal figure has not moved since 2009, your local rate is usually the one that actually governs.
- 2
Use OEWS for occupation and area data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics is the authoritative source for wages by occupation and region. It is official data rather than self-reported figures.
- 3
Avoid crowd-sourced salary sites for benchmarks
Crowd-sourced salary sites are not a reliable basis for a benchmark. When you need a defensible number — for a negotiation or a visa filing — official data holds up and self-reported aggregates do not.
- 4
Know who enforces if pay falls short
The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division enforces minimum wage and overtime under the FLSA. Knowing the enforcing body in advance is more useful than researching it during a dispute.
- 5
Read every quoted figure as gross
Pay is quoted gross, and income tax plus payroll deductions reduce take-home. Convert an offer to a net figure before comparing it against your actual costs.
- State minimum wage checked
- City or county rate checked where one exists
- Higher-of rule understood
- OEWS figures pulled for your occupation and area
- Crowd-sourced figures excluded from the benchmark
- Wage and Hour Division noted as the enforcement route
- Offer converted from gross to net before comparing
- U.S. Department of Labor — Minimum Wage
Official federal minimum-wage information.
- BLS — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Official wages by occupation and area.
Frequently asked questions
Is the US federal minimum wage the rate that applies to me?
Often not. The federal minimum has been USD 7.25/hour since 2009, and where a state or city sets a higher rate, the higher one applies — so in much of the country your local rate is the operative one. Check your state and city, not just the federal figure.
Where should I get reliable US salary data?
From the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, which is the authoritative source by occupation and region. Crowd-sourced salary sites are self-reported aggregates and do not hold up when you need a defensible number.
Who do I contact if I am underpaid in the US?
The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which enforces minimum wage and overtime under the FLSA. It is worth knowing that in advance, since looking it up mid-dispute is the harder moment to be researching enforcement routes.
Government portals
- The White House — Official residence and office of the US President — executive orders, policy briefings, press releases
- U.S. Department of State — US passport and visa services, travel warnings, embassy information worldwide
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — Federal tax filing, refund status, ITIN/EIN applications, and Free File program
- USCIS — Green card, H-1B and work visas, naturalization, immigration benefits, and case status