Impacts of Minimum Wage on Various Demographics and Sectors

Minimum wage workers are not solely from low-income families; some are from middle to upper-income households. Minimum wage hikes can benefit workers across income levels rather than solely aiding those in poverty. A significant portion of minimum wage workers are teenagers and young adults. Major sectors with minimum wage jobs include restaurants, hotels, retail, education, and healthcare. Raising the minimum wage might not alleviate poverty significantly as the primary cause of poverty is lack of employed individuals in a family. While higher minimum wages could attract some individuals to join the workforce, the majority of non-working people are not waiting for a wage increase. Thus, alternative approaches beyond increasing the minimum wage are necessary to tackle poverty effectively.