A full-time worker earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour brings home about $15,080 per year. The 2025 federal poverty level for a single person is $15,650. That gap of roughly $570 means millions of Americans working a standard 40-hour week still fall below the official poverty line, and many others sit close enough to qualify for significant federal and state assistance programs.
This comparison table covers every state's 2025 minimum wage, the resulting annual income at full-time hours, and how that income measures against the federal poverty level (FPL). If you want to know exactly which programs you qualify for based on your actual income and household size, use the free screener at benefitsusa.org/screener.
2025 Federal Poverty Level Benchmarks
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publishes updated poverty guidelines each January. For 2025, the key thresholds for the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C. are:
| Household Size | 100% FPL (Poverty Line) | 130% FPL (SNAP Limit) | 138% FPL (Medicaid, ACA) | 200% FPL (ACA Subsidies) |
|---|
| 1 person | $15,650 | $20,345 | $21,597 | $31,300 |
| 2 people | $21,150 | $27,495 | $29,187 | $42,300 |
| 3 people | $26,650 | $34,645 | $36,777 | $53,300 |
| 4 people | $32,150 | $41,795 | $44,367 | $64,300 |
Alaska and Hawaii have separate, higher poverty guidelines due to cost of living. Alaska's single-person FPL is $19,550 and Hawaii's is $18,000 for 2025.
Programs that use the FPL as an eligibility threshold include SNAP (130% FPL gross income limit), Medicaid expansion (138% FPL in participating states), ACA premium tax credits (100% to 400% FPL), CHIP (varies, typically 200% to 300% FPL), WIC (185% FPL), and LIHEAP (150% FPL in most states).
Full State-by-State Minimum Wage vs. Poverty Level Table (2025)
Annual income figures below assume 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year (2,080 hours). The FPL percentage column shows where a single full-time minimum wage worker stands relative to the poverty line.
| State | 2025 Min. Wage | Annual Full-Time Income | % of Single-Person FPL |
|---|
| Alabama | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Alaska | $11.91 | $24,773 | 127% of AK FPL |
| Arizona | $14.70 | $30,576 | 195% |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | $22,880 | 146% |
| California | $16.50 | $34,320 | 219% |
| Colorado | $14.81 | $30,805 | 197% |
| Connecticut | $16.35 | $34,008 | 217% |
| Delaware | $15.00 | $31,200 | 199% |
| Florida | $13.00 | $27,040 | 173% |
| Georgia | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Hawaii | $14.00 | $29,120 | 162% of HI FPL |
| Idaho | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $31,200 | 199% |
| Indiana | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Iowa | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Kansas | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Kentucky | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Louisiana | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Maine | $14.65 | $30,472 | 195% |
| Maryland | $15.00 | $31,200 | 199% |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | $31,200 | 199% |
| Michigan | $10.56 | $21,965 | 140% |
| Minnesota | $11.13 | $23,150 | 148% |
| Mississippi | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Missouri | $13.75 | $28,600 | 183% |
| Montana | $10.55 | $21,944 | 140% |
| Nebraska | $13.50 | $28,080 | 179% |
| Nevada | $12.00 | $24,960 | 159% |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| New Jersey | $15.49 | $32,219 | 206% |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $24,960 | 159% |
| New York | $15.50 | $32,240 | 206% |
| North Carolina | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| North Dakota | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Ohio | $10.45 | $21,736 | 139% |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Oregon | $14.70 | $30,576 | 195% |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Rhode Island | $15.00 | $31,200 | 199% |
| South Carolina | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| South Dakota | $11.50 | $23,920 | 153% |
| Tennessee | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Texas | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Utah | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Vermont | $14.01 | $29,141 | 186% |
| Virginia | $12.41 | $25,813 | 165% |
| Washington | $16.66 | $34,653 | 221% |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $18,200 | 116% |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Wyoming | $7.25 (federal) | $15,080 | 96% |
| Washington D.C. | $17.50 | $36,400 | 233% |
Note: States marked "(federal)" have no state minimum wage higher than the federal floor of $7.25. The FPL percentage for Alaska and Hawaii is calculated against their separate, higher state-specific poverty guidelines published by HHS. Some states have different rates for small employers, tipped workers, or specific industries.
States Where Minimum Wage Falls Below the Poverty Line
Twenty states pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25, producing an annual income of $15,080 for full-time workers. This is $570 below the 2025 single-person poverty threshold of $15,650.
Those states are: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In each of these states, a single adult working full time at minimum wage falls below 100% FPL. Workers supporting even one child on that income fall well below the poverty line regardless of state. A family of two with one minimum wage earner has an income of $15,080 against a $21,150 poverty threshold, placing them at roughly 71% FPL.
What Benefits Are Available at Minimum Wage Income Levels?
The income levels produced by minimum wage work often open the door to multiple assistance programs. Here is a breakdown of key programs and their general income thresholds based on 2025 guidelines:
SNAP (Food Assistance)
SNAP uses 130% of FPL as the gross income limit for most households. For a single person, that is $20,345 per year. A full-time worker in any of the 20 states paying $7.25 earns $15,080 and falls well under this limit. Even in states with $12 to $15 minimum wages, families of two or more often remain within SNAP's limits.
Net income limits (after deductions) are 100% FPL. Most working households can deduct a standard amount plus earned income deductions that bring net income down significantly. Workers earning minimum wage in any state should check SNAP eligibility, particularly if supporting dependents.
Medicaid
In the 41 states that have expanded Medicaid under the ACA, adults with income up to 138% FPL qualify. That threshold for a single person is approximately $21,597 in 2025. Full-time minimum wage workers in the 20 states paying $7.25 earn $15,080, which is well under this limit.
Workers in non-expansion states (Texas, Florida, Georgia, and others) face a more complicated situation. In those states, Medicaid for adults without children is often unavailable regardless of income, creating a coverage gap. Texas, for example, covers only parents with income below roughly 17% FPL, leaving most low-wage adult workers without Medicaid access.
ACA Marketplace Subsidies
Workers who do not have employer coverage and earn between 100% and 400% FPL can qualify for ACA premium tax credits. The income cutoffs above 400% FPL no longer apply under current law. Workers earning above 100% FPL who lack affordable employer coverage can apply through their state marketplace or HealthCare.gov.
In non-expansion states, workers between 100% and 138% FPL who fall into the coverage gap may be eligible for subsidized marketplace plans, though the rules vary.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The EITC is a tax credit for workers with low to moderate income. For 2025, the maximum credit for a single worker with no children is around $632, while a worker with three or more children can receive up to approximately $7,830. Minimum wage workers at almost every state level qualify, especially those with dependents. The credit phases out as income rises but remains available well above the poverty line.
LIHEAP (Home Energy Assistance)
LIHEAP helps low-income households with heating and cooling costs. Most states use 150% FPL as the income cutoff, which is $23,475 for a single person in 2025. Workers earning under $16 per hour at full time generally qualify, depending on household size and state funding availability.
WIC
WIC covers pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five in households earning under 185% FPL. For a family of two, that is about $39,128 in 2025. Most minimum wage households with young children qualify.
The Gap Between Wages and Cost of Living
The FPL is a federal measure and does not reflect actual cost of living in any specific area. In high-cost states like California, Washington, or Massachusetts, workers may earn 200% or more of the federal poverty level at minimum wage but still struggle with housing, childcare, and transportation costs.
California's minimum wage of $16.50 produces $34,320 per year. While this is 219% of the national FPL, median one-bedroom rent in San Francisco exceeds $2,500 per month, which is $30,000 annually alone. The FPL comparison shows eligibility thresholds for programs, not a complete picture of financial sufficiency.
Conversely, in low-cost rural states paying the federal minimum, the purchasing power of $15,080 varies depending on local housing and food prices. Workers in rural Mississippi or Arkansas may face different cost pressures than those in urban areas of the same states.
How to Use This Table
This table shows your state's minimum wage in relation to the federal poverty level, which determines eligibility for most federal assistance programs. But eligibility also depends on:
- Household size (more people means higher FPL thresholds)
- Whether your state expanded Medicaid
- Whether you have dependents
- Your specific income (not just minimum wage)
- Which programs you apply for and their specific deduction rules
The fastest way to check your actual eligibility across SNAP, Medicaid, ACA subsidies, EITC, and other programs based on your household size and income is to use the free screener at benefitsusa.org/screener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does minimum wage count as below the poverty line in 2025?
In states paying the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, yes. A full-time worker earns approximately $15,080 per year, which is below the 2025 single-person poverty threshold of $15,650. In states with higher minimum wages, a single worker typically earns above the poverty line, though families of two or more may still fall under it even at higher wage rates.
Which states have the highest minimum wages relative to the poverty line in 2025?
Washington D.C. leads at $17.50 per hour, followed by Washington state at $16.66, California at $16.50, Connecticut at $16.35, and New York at $15.50. These states produce annual full-time incomes of $32,000 to $36,000, placing single workers at roughly 200% to 233% of the federal poverty level.
Which states have the lowest minimum wages relative to the poverty line?
The 20 states that use the federal minimum of $7.25 produce the lowest wages relative to poverty: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Workers in these states fall below 100% FPL at full time.
Can I get SNAP if I work full time at minimum wage?
Likely yes, especially if you have dependents. The SNAP gross income limit is 130% of FPL ($20,345 for a single person in 2025). Full-time workers earning $7.25 per hour make $15,080, well under that limit. Workers in higher-wage states may still qualify with families of two or more. Net income after deductions matters most, and working households can apply earned income deductions that bring their countable income down further.
Do minimum wage workers qualify for Medicaid?
In states that expanded Medicaid, most single adults earning minimum wage qualify since the income limit is 138% FPL, roughly $21,597 in 2025. Workers in non-expansion states (including Texas, Georgia, Florida, and others) often do not qualify for Medicaid as adults without children, regardless of income. Those workers may qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies instead.
How often does the federal poverty level change?
HHS updates poverty guidelines annually, typically each January. The updates are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For 2025, the single-person poverty threshold increased slightly from 2024's level. Programs that use FPL thresholds update their income limits accordingly each year.
If I earn above the poverty line, can I still get benefits?
Yes. Many programs have income limits well above 100% FPL. SNAP allows income up to 130% FPL. Medicaid expansion covers up to 138% FPL. ACA subsidies extend to 400% FPL and beyond for those without affordable employer coverage. LIHEAP covers up to 150% FPL and WIC up to 185% FPL. Earning above the poverty line does not automatically exclude you from benefits, particularly if you have dependents.
Why does the federal minimum wage stay at $7.25?
Congress last raised the federal minimum wage in 2009. Since then, inflation has steadily eroded its purchasing power. Proposals to raise it have not cleared Congress, leaving states and localities to act on their own. As a result, there is now a $10.25 gap between the lowest state minimum wages ($7.25) and the highest (Washington D.C. at $17.50).
