Minimum Wage

In this project, I used US Census QWI data (2010-2022 period) to examine the effects of recent minimum wage hikes on wages and employment in two of the lowest wage sectors (Accommodation and food services (NAICS 72) and Retail trade (NAICS 44-45).

I find that there was a positive effect on wages and a (small) negative effect on employment, especially for younger workers in small firms. The graphs below summarise the main findings.