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When you look at your paycheck, do you wish the amount was higher? If so, you might be interested in what our many Democratic presidential candidates think about the federal minimum wage and what they intend to do about it.



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Most candidates have come out in support of raising the minimum wage to $15 (a big jump from the current federal minimum wage of just $7.25), but there are a few exceptions. Andrew Yang, for one, supports a universal basic income.

Here are the candidates’ positions according to their campaign websites, in alphabetical order.

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Increase the federal minimum wage—he doesn’t provide numbers.

Increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour, with a higher rate in some regions. He doesn’t specify, but those regions are likely those with higher costs of living.


Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Raise the minimum wage to $15 “and beyond,” and restore Obama-era overtime regulations.


No position provided.

Raise the minimum wage to $15 and “index to median worker pay,” meaning the minimum wage would automatically adjust according to the annual rate of inflation.

Phase out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers and create “one fair wage for all.”


Raise the federal minimum wage gradually to $15 per hour over time.

Include tipped employees and index the minimum wage to inflation.

No position provided.

Raise the minimum wage to $15 nationwide.

Raise the minimum wage to nationwide floor of $15 per hour by 2024, with the highest cost-of-living areas transitioning first.

Permanently tie the minimum wage to cost of living, adjusting it every three years.

Increase the minimum wage beyond $15 in areas with high costs of living.

Raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024, “pegged to the median hourly wage thereafter.”

Raise the overtime pay threshold in line with Obama-era rules.

Make a $15 minimum wage the national floor.

Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

“Guarantee that one job is enough by paying every American a true living wage.” He doesn’t provide numbers on his website.


“Build an economy that works for everyone.” No further information provided.

Raise the minimum wage to “a living wage” of at least $15 per hour.

Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Increase the minimum wage to “a rate that provides a living wage in its given geographical area” and have that rate adjust with inflation.


Implement universal basic income (UBI) to guarantee payments of $1,000 per month per citizen over age 18.

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