$15 Minimum Wage Bill Passes One Hurdle in Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has said boosting the minimum wage in Louisiana is one of his top priorities during this legislative session. A measure has passed out of a Senate committee on a 3-2 vote. The bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter would bump up the state minimum wage to $15 an hour beginning next year. The current minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Senator Carter says cashiers, waiters, food prep workers, fast food workers and home health aides are the top five jobs where the workers make less than $8.25 an hour. Carter says we have to make an effort to help these front line workers.