A little known law has come to our attention in the State of Vermont. If you employ someone that is 16 or 17 years of age and is still in high school you do not have to pay them state minimum wage. You do however, have to keep there rate of pay at least equal to that of the federal minimum wage. As of this moment the federal minimum wage rate is $6.55 an hour compared to the State of Vermont’s minimum wage of $8.06. As of July 1, 2009 the federal minimum wage will increase to $7.25 an hour. As soon as the minor graduates or leaves high school they automatically must have their wages increased to meet that of Vermonts minimum wage.