I live in NJ where our minimum wage of 7.50/hr is much higher than the rest of the nation (so is our cost of living and 7.50/hr would be pretty rough to live on) but even our fast food jobs start at 8/hr. They have to to attract employees they want because even 16 year olds want a decent wage.
you think you aren't paying the employer side? Your employer may suck but I know mine would increase our wages if that tax didn't exist or was paid on the employee side.