CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North and South Carolina workers are asking "Where's the money?" as their pay stays stagnant.
While more than 20 states are increasing their minimum wage this year, the Carolinas are staying at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Washington and California are among the states to see the highest increase, with minimum wages now at or above $16 an hour.
Fast food workers in California are also seeing a rise in pay, with the minimum wage set to be $20 an hour by April.
"We’ve protested every which way to prove our point," California fast food worker Anneisha Williams said. "I have to pick and choose between rent, groceries, and livelihood.... I can’t even believe it.”
Eric Winston is a cook in Durham. After making minimum wage much of his life, he's now working to advocate for others through the Union of Southern Service Workers.
"To say it was hard, you know, it's like a microcosm of what’s really going on," Winston said. It was basically survival. It's a humanitarian issue, you know? You as lawmakers are supposed to represent us.”
The federal minimum wage hasn't changed since 2009 and some workers and analysts say it's just not enough to make ends meet.
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"People are not being paid a living wage," Sue Berkowitz, a lawyer with advocacy group SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center said. "Can you imagine, if you had not gotten a raise, as the cost of living has gone up, what that would do to your ability to stay in your housing?"
But, employers of small businesses are pushing back, saying they won't be able to survive a wage increase or hire anyone new.
"I wouldn't be able to afford to do it," Frankie Bell, owner of Frankie's Pizza in California, said. "I'd have to work longer hours to compensate for that."
Larger businesses like Pizza Hut are also feeling the effects with some franchise owners in California reportedly planning to lay off more than 1,000 drivers and rely on DoorDash to cut costs.
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
For Winston, higher pay in the Carolinas would be a dream realized.
“I probably will never see it," Winston said. "But as long as, you know, I'm making a way for my kids.”
Outside of state-level changes, Congress would have to pass a bill for the president to sign into law for the minimum wage to go up.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte's Where's The Money series is all about leveling the playing field in the Carolinas by helping others and breaking down barriers. WCNC Charlotte doesn't want our viewers to be taken advantage of, so we’re here to help. Watch previous stories where we ask the question “Where’s the Money” in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.