President Biden and recent legislation have proposed more than doubling the federal minimum wage to $15, and raising the separate federal tipped minimum wage by as much as 600 percent. Rather than providing relief from the pandemic, the best economic evidence shows this proposal would worsen its consequences. This analysis is based on a 2019 methodology developed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which estimated a loss of 1.3 to 3.7 million jobs from a $15 minimum wage. This updated analysis by economists from Miami and Trinity Universities reflects 2020 employment changes. This proposal will have significant negative economic impacts:

• The nation can expect to lose more than 2 million jobs. Sixty percent of these lost jobs will be held by workers aged 16-24, and 61% of lost jobs will be held by women.
• The restaurant and bar industry will account for 45% of total job losses, and 53% of lost jobs will be those held by tipped workers.
• The proposal will cost US employers nearly $100 billion when phased in, including $27 billion for restaurant employers alone.

To see the full study and data by state and demographic group, click here.