By Ron Ruggless
Nation's Restaurant News, January 2, 2025
Minimum wages increased in 21 states on Jan. 1, and more hikes are expected later in the year. The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 an hour, a rate last adjusted in July 2009. ...
Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, a lobbying group, noted that voters in Missouri and Alaska approved ballot measures last year and 15 states plus the District of Columbia have a minimum wage of $15 or higher now or are phasing in scheduled increases to $15 or higher: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington State.
Washington State had the highest state minimum wage at $16.66 an hour as of Jan. 1, the group noted.
Further state increases later in 2025 are expected in:
- Oregon and the District of Columbia, which will have cost of living increases on July 1.
- Alaska has a second 2025 increase on July 1.
- Florida’s minimum wage will increase to $14 on Sept. 30, and then to $15 in 2026. In 2027, Florida will resume annual indexing. ...