The federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 an hour, but some states have increased the minimum wage that employers can legally pay an employee.  The states with the highest hourly minimum wages are as follows: Washington DC - $15.90  California - $15.00 Washington - $14.49  Massachusetts - $14.25 Connecticut - $14.00 Oregon - $13.50  New York - $13.20  New Jersey - $13.00 Arizona - $12.80  Maine - $12.75