According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal minimum wage is the lowest wage an employer will pay an hourly worker (FLSA). The federal minimum wage for non exempt jobs in the United States is $7.25 per hour as of July 24, 2009. However, some states have a higher minimum wage than the central government mandates. If that the federal and state minimum wages vary, the higher pay is paid. For example, the minimum wage in Washington State is $13.50 per hour, which means that hourly jobs (as defined by the FLSA) pay this amount. Employers subject to the FLSA must pay the federal minimum wage in states lacking a minimum wage, such as Alabama.