Cole Is a Minimum Wage Employee in Santa Fe, NM

Multiple Choice

Cole is a minimum wage employee in Santa Fe, NM, where the minimum wage is $11.80 per hour. His employer claims that since the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, Cole should only receive the federal amount. What is the correct answer in this situation?

A) The employer is correct that the federal minimum wage overrules the state wage.
B) The employer may choose to pay less than the state-designated minimum wage, based on the employee's qualifications and job description.
C) The employer has the discretion to pay either the federal or the state-designated minimum wage.
D) The employer must pay the state-designated minimum wage for the area.