Wages in the USA
Minimum wages in the USA are set (or not set) by state governments. Currently 21 state governments have minimum wage rates.
If a state government does not set a minimum wage or sets a very low minimum wage, there is a federally mandated minimum wage of $7.25 that must be paid.
Check this website to see which states have what minimum wages and if they have overtime rates. Please note some states have lower minimum rates if employees receive tips. Restaurant servers typically get a 20% tip and they often have to “tip out” the host/bussers/ and food runners. If you are a foreign worker, ask what the system at that particular restaurant is.
Most ski resorts will be paying above the minimum wage in an attempt to attract workers so they can cover high rents.
Ski resorts, rafting companies, and other outfitters that use federal lands are now required to pay staff a minimum of $15 per hour no matter which state they operate in. There’s plenty of law suits trying to overturn this minimum wage so stay tuned.
What’s 401K? This is essentially a retirement savings plan where workers reduce their taxable income by contributing to their plan. Employer’s match the payments. Foreign workers called “non-resident aliens” can participate in this scheme.
This page has all the details about 401(k) plans for international workers.
Workers should also understand their state’s on call and split shifts provisions. This is especially the case for adventure workers running multi-day guided activities, au pairs, and Summer Camp attendants.