I was researching the minimum wage in the United States per month and found some pretty interesting things worth sharing, especially for those thinking about working there.

So, here’s the basics: in the US, there isn’t a single minimum wage like we have here in Brazil. The system is quite decentralized. The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since 2009 — basically, it’s been frozen for over 15 years. But each state can set its own minimum, and many have gone well above that.

If we consider the minimum wage in the US per month based on the federal minimum, it’s around $1,160 (calculating 40 hours per week, 4 weeks). But that’s very theoretical because, in practice, almost no one earns just that. States like California, Washington, and New York are already paying between $15.50 and $17.50 per hour. Washington, D.C., is the top, with $17.50/hour, which amounts to about $2,800 per month.

The interesting part is that the cost of living varies a lot too. It’s no use earning more per hour if rent is double. According to my research, the basic cost of living in the US is around $1,185 per month, and the average rent is about $1,626. In other words, with the federal minimum, you’re already in the red.

Those earning minimum wage there are mainly restaurant attendants, cashiers, stockers, cleaning staff. There’s an important rule: people who receive tips can earn less because tips supplement their income. That’s quite different from Brazil.

In comparison, the minimum wage in the US per month in Brazilian reais is much higher in absolute numbers (around R$6,000 with the current exchange rate), but the purchasing power isn’t proportional. One dollar in the US buys less than it seems when we convert directly. In the US, $1,160 is considered insufficient in most places.

The calculation is simple: take the hourly rate, multiply by 40 (standard weekly hours), then by 4 (weeks in a month). Done. Some states also have overtime — California, for example, charges 1.5x after 8 hours a day and 2x after 12 hours.

In the end, the minimum wage in the US per month varies quite a bit. It depends on the state, the city, and the type of work. If you’re thinking about moving there, the important thing is to research not only the state’s minimum but also the specific cost of living in that region. There are places where you earn more but rent is so expensive that it’s not worth it, and others where the balance is better.