The American Samoa Government has raised the minimum wage for its employees.
The US government set the new government rate at $US4.88 per hour but the local government has put it at $5 an hour.
The previous minimum rate for government workers was $4.41.
Director of human resources Le'i Sonny Thomson said the new starting rate would mean an annual salary of $US10,400.
The last time the minimum wage for government employees was increased was back in 2003.
The rate was recommended by a Task Force that governor Lolo Moliga appointed to come up with a minimum living wage that took into consideration living costs.
