Final answer:
The lowest amount employers are legally required to pay is the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour. Advocates for a living wage argue this amount isn't sufficient for families to meet basic needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lowest amount that employers may pay under federal or state law, as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), is the minimum wage. As of mid-2009, the U.S. federal minimum wage was set at $7.25 per hour. While the federal minimum wage provides an annual income that is just above the Federal poverty line for a single person, this is not the case for a family of four. Local movements have advocated for a living wage, which is considered the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs. This push is based on the argument that the current federal minimum wage does not ensure a reasonable standard of living for families, as evidenced by the income being significantly lower than the federal poverty line for larger households.