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

How One Funder Invests in Policy & Systems Change for Family Mental Health

This is a guest post by Kim Gilsdorf, a Program Officer for the Perigee Fund, a national philanthropy committed to prenatal-to-age-3 mental health.  I work with organizations that support the mental health of families every

Partner Spotlight: Advocates Tell a Data-Driven Story About Texas Communities

The non-profit organization Texans Care for Children drives policy change to improve kids’ lives, helping them to grow up healthy, safe, and successful. But without local data, Texans Care for Children struggled to inform lawmakers

2024 Prenatal-to-3 Legislative Highlights

With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2024 action on state policies to support children and families. So far this year, lawmakers throughout the country debated—and many passed—legislation that aligns with four key components of the prenatal-to-3 system of care.
With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2024 action on state policies to support children and families. So far this year, lawmakers throughout the country debated—and many passed—legislation that aligns with four key components of the prenatal-to-3 system of care.
Vanderbilt University
Peabody College of Education & Human Development

Who We Are

What We Do

Newsletter Sign-up
© Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center 2023 | Site Policies

Follow us:

Twitter Facebook Linkedin Youtube
Newsletter Sign-up