Buzz
Do you ever glance at your paycheck and wish it were more substantial? If so, you may be curious about where the various Democratic presidential candidates stand on the federal minimum wage and their plans for it.
While most candidates support raising the minimum wage to $15 (a significant increase from the current federal rate of $7.25), there are some exceptions. For instance, Andrew Yang advocates for a universal basic income.
Below are the positions of the candidates, organized alphabetically, based on information from their campaign websites.
Michael Bennet
Supports increasing the federal minimum wage, but does not specify a target amount.
Joe Biden
Proposes raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Steve Bullock
Proposes raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, with higher rates in certain areas, likely those with elevated living costs, though specific regions are not detailed.
Cory Booker
Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Pete Buttigieg
Supports raising the minimum wage to $15 and beyond, alongside reinstating Obama-era overtime regulations.
Julian Castro
Has not stated a position on the matter.
Bill de Blasio
Proposes raising the minimum wage to $15 and linking it to median worker wages, meaning the minimum wage would automatically rise in line with inflation.
Plans to phase out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers and establish “one fair wage for all.”
John Delaney
Gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour over time.
Extend the minimum wage to include tipped employees and adjust it for inflation.
Tulsi Gabbard
Has not expressed a position on the issue.
Kirsten Gillibrand
Supports raising the minimum wage to $15 across the country.
John Hickenlooper
Proposes raising the minimum wage to a national rate of $15 per hour by 2024, with areas of high cost of living being the first to transition.
Plans to permanently link the minimum wage to the cost of living, with adjustments made every three years.
Advocates for raising the minimum wage beyond $15 in regions with higher living costs.
Jay Inslee
Wants to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024, with future adjustments tied to the median hourly wage.
Supports increasing the overtime pay threshold in accordance with Obama-era regulations.
Kamala Harris
Establish a $15 minimum wage as the nationwide baseline.
Amy Klobuchar
Supports increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Beto O’Rourke
Advocates for ensuring that one job is sufficient to support a person by providing every American with a true living wage, though no specific numbers are given on his website.
Tim Ryan
Advocates for creating an economy that benefits everyone, though no additional details are provided.
Bernie Sanders
Proposes raising the minimum wage to “a living wage” of at least $15 per hour.
Elizabeth Warren
Proposes raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Marianne Williamson
Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to a level that ensures a living wage in each specific geographical area, with automatic adjustments for inflation.
Andrew Yang
Supports implementing universal basic income (UBI) to ensure all citizens over the age of 18 receive monthly payments of $1,000.
