WASHINGTON — As President Barack Obama pushes for a minimum wage increase, the real action is in the states.

Meeting with Democratic governors at the White House, Obama sought to build momentum Friday for his effort to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2016. But he noted that much of the activity surrounding his push to address income inequality through higher wages is happening on a state level in Hawaii, Washington, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois and other states.

“This is not just good policy. It also happens to be good politics,” Obama said. “Because the truth of the matter is the overwhelming majority of Americans think that raising the minimum wage is a good idea.”

Taking a veiled swipe at a prominent Republican, Obama noted that wages were increased in New Jersey by public referendum, even though it was opposed by New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie. Democrats have assailed Christie in recent weeks over a political payback scandal that has engulfed his administration.

Republicans have opposed increasing the minimum wage, asserting that it will kill jobs. GOP leaders seized upon a report earlier this week by Congress’ nonpartisan budget analysts that found the wage increase could reduce jobs in 2016 by about 500,000, or 0.3 percent.

Republican governors gathered at a hotel near the White House suggested that raising the minimum wage was an issue better left to the individual states and the free market.

“I’m not for increasing the minimum wage because I’m concerned it would destroy jobs, especially for small business owners,” said Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, the chair of the National Governors Association. “The market will take care of itself.”