About 500 cities in the U.S. were part of a national push for an increase of the minimum wage. Unions for fast-food workers have been created, and recently here in Arizona there was a protest in Downtown Phoenix on Nov. 10 for an increase in pay from the current $8.05 to $15.

The national “fight for 15”, a term created those advocating for a pay increase, has been pressuring politicians from different states to increase the minimum wage pay.

Those in favor say that it will make the cost of living for these workers less strenuous and they will be able to support the local economy by supporting local businesses and being able to attend college. Those in opposition, however, say it will only result in many workers being laid off to accommodate the remaining individuals being paid more, as well as prices increasing for consumers.

In Phoenix, the wage growth was growing faster than the national average as of September, at 2.7% as opposed to 2.1%. However, the average weekly wage is at $978, lower than the national average of $1,048.

The states with the highest minimum wage are Washington and West Virginia, at $9.47 and $8.00, respectively. The lowest paying states are Arkansas, Georgia, Minnesota, and Wyoming, cashing in at $7.25. Arizona ranks in at $8.05.