Finance & Economics

Americans: ”Federal minimum wage is too low and should be increased”

The company polled over 6,000 Americans on their opinions on the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour

US minimum wage

Americans: ”Federal minimum wage is too low and should be increased”. Source: pixabay.com

According to Ipsos, the vast majority of Americans think the federal minimum wage is too low and should be increased to at least $15 per hour.

Besides, among those surveyed who hold an opinion on the federal minimum wage, 2/3 support increasing it to $15 per hour.

Even when including undecided respondents on the matter, 56% support a $15 per hour minimum wage.

The majority of Americans also believe raising the minimum wage would have a positive impact on employees in general (70%), the country (55%), their community (54%), and the economy (54%).

Virtually any policy discussion today devolves into partisan debates and experts talking past each other. Rarely, if ever, do the opinions or preferences of regular Americans enter into these debates, but our study clearly indicates that the American people want to see the federal minimum wage increased. This level of agreement is practically unheard of in contemporary America and reflects an overwhelming public consensus that elected officials should think twice before disputing
Chris Jackson, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Ipsos

The research has found that about 2 in 5 hourly, temporary, or seasonal employees say they make less than $15 an hour. Those who make less than $15 an hour are significantly less likely to say they can afford basic human needs such as shopping for groceries, paying for prescription drugs, or a doctor’s visit. Besides, an unexpected event can financially derail them.

According to data, increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour would have a significant impact on those currently making less than that. For instance, about 1 in 4 people currently earning $15 an hour or more say that at some point in the past 5 years, they have earned less than $15 an hour.

When compared to politicians and policymakers (73%), advocacy groups (69%), and the media (51%), 80% of Americans think large employers should play a role in raising the federal minimum wage.

We’ve reported that British exporters can benefit from price premiums of up to £3.5 billion per year in ten key countries.

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