Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt. Learn More

Evidence of Impact for State Minimum Wage

Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Email
PRINT

Download PDF

A state minimum wage of at least $10 per hour is one of the five most effective policies a state can A state minimum wage of at least $10.00 per hour is one of the five most effective policies a state can implement to ensure children get off to a healthy start and thrive, and that promote greater equity in child wellbeing.

The federal minimum wage requires that most hourly workers be paid at least $7.25, but states can establish higher wage thresholds.

The most rigorous research studies show that an increase in the minimum wage:

IMPACT OF STATE MINIMUM WAGE EVIDENCE OF IMPACT

Increases earnings
  • A 10% increase in the minimum wage led to a 3.5% increase in earnings for low-income families

Has no adverse effects on employment
  • For children under age 6 whose mothers had no college degree, a 10% boost in the minimum wage increased the likelihood of parental employment by 7.4%

Reduces poverty rates among children
  • For children under age 6 whose mothers had no college degree, a 10% increase in the minimum wage reduced poverty by 9.7%

Improves birth outcomes
  • A $1.00 minimum wage increase above the federal level led to approximately a 2% decrease in low birthweight and a 4% decrease in postneonatal mortality

Reduces child neglect
  • A $1.00 increase in the minimum age reduced child neglect reports by 10.8% for children under age 5

Visit the Clearinghouse for the comprehensive evidence review on State Minimum Wage.

The prenatal period to age 3 is the most sensitive and rapid period of growth for the brain and body. State policy choices have a substantial impact on the wellbeing of infants, toddlers, and their parents, and on promoting equity among children. See the Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap for more information on the most effective policies and strategies states can implement to help children thrive from the start.

Have questions? Please contact us.

Related

Kids sitting in a classroom

New Vanderbilt Study Finds Nashville Child Care System Faces Interconnected Challenges in Supply, Workforce, and Affordability

As families across the country navigate the pressures of finding and affording child care, new research from Vanderbilt University’s Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center examines what that landscape looks like in greater Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee
Set of kid toys on a white shelf

Brief 5: Estimating the True Cost of High-Quality Home-Based Care – Insights from True-Cost Modeling

Home-based child care plays a small but vital role in greater Davidson County, Tennessee, offering families flexibility, affordability, and culturally aligned care, particularly for infants and toddlers. This brief uses a cost estimation model to examine the true cost of providing high-quality home-based child care in the region, where providers often serve simultaneously as educator, owner, and director.
Home-based child care plays a small but vital role in greater Davidson County, Tennessee, offering families flexibility, affordability, and culturally aligned care, particularly for infants and toddlers. This brief uses a cost estimation model to examine the true cost of providing high-quality home-based child care in the region, where providers often serve simultaneously as educator, owner, and director.
Little boy playing with toy train.

Brief 4: What High-Quality Center-Based Child Care Really Costs, and Why No One is Paying It – Insights from True-Cost Modeling

The market price of child care reflects what families can afford to pay, not what it actually costs programs to provide high-quality care with a well-compensated workforce. This brief uses a cost estimation model to examine the true cost of providing center-based child care for children under age 5 across greater Davidson County, Tennessee.
The market price of child care reflects what families can afford to pay, not what it actually costs programs to provide high-quality care with a well-compensated workforce. This brief uses a cost estimation model to examine the true cost of providing center-based child care for children under age 5 across greater Davidson County, Tennessee.

Follow us:

Twitter Facebook Linkedin Youtube
Newsletter Sign-up