So, I was researching about working in the US and found out that the minimum wage there is quite different from Brazil. Here, we have a single national rate, but there, each state sets its own rules. The federal minimum has been at US$ 7.25/hour since 2009 (frozen), but many states already pay much more.

The average monthly salary in the US varies quite a bit depending on where you work. Considering the federal minimum and a 40-hour workweek, it comes out to about US$ 1,160 per month. But in Washington DC, for example, the minimum is US$ 17.50/hour, which is almost US$ 2,800 monthly. California and New York also have rates well above the federal, in the range of US$ 15.50 to US$ 16.50.

The interesting thing is that the average monthly salary in the US doesn’t really reflect the cost of living. Even earning US$ 1,160, you can’t afford rent (average of US$ 1,626) plus basic expenses. It’s kind of like here in Brazil, you know? The minimum exists, but practically, you can’t live on just that in big cities.

Who earns this amount? Mainly restaurant staff, supermarket cashiers, stockers, cleaners. Waiters might earn less because they supplement with tips. We tend to think about converting to reais (around R$ 6,000 at the federal level), but then you see that people there also complain that it’s not enough to live on.

The average monthly salary in states like DC or Washington is much more appealing, approaching US$ 2,800. But these places also have astronomical living costs. In the end, what really matters is researching the specific state’s minimum wage, the regional cost of living, and calculating whether it’s worth making the move. It’s not just about looking at the dollar amount, you know?