#2: Alaska
Minimum wage: $13.00
In Alaska, many of the wealthy enjoy lifestyles shaped by abundant natural beauty and high-paying industries like oil, fishing, and aerospace. Long summer days mean outdoor adventures, boating, and hunting. Residents in higher income brackets often live in Anchorage or affluent coastal towns, valuing wide open spaces and rugged luxury.

On the lower end, workers earning minimum wage often handle service jobs in tourism, food service, or retail, especially in smaller towns where costs are steep. Harsh winters and limited public transport can strain tight budgets, and many rely on seasonal work, community support, and subsistence living to make ends meet.
