While the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 hasn’t moved in nearly a decade, several states and cities have set their own higher minimum wages, and many of those are planning increases in 2019. In the District of Columbia the new minimum wage is $14.00 an hour.
In Florida, the minimum wage is going up 21 cents effective on January 1, 2019 — to $8.46 an hour. Many economists believe that a minimum wage of $15.00 an hour is necessary to make ends meet in Florida.
Millions of U.S. workers will see increased pay in 2019 due to minimum-wage increases in 20 states and 21 cities.
Eight states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, and Washington State— are phasing in increases that will eventually put their minimum wages at $12 to $15 an hour.
In addition, 13 cities and counties are increasing their minimum wages to $15.00 an hour or higher in the new year.
On January 1, New York City’s new minimum hourly wage goes from $13.00 to $15.00 for businesses with 11 or more employees.
The state wage hikes range from an extra nickel per hour in Alaska to a $1-an-hour bump in Maine and Massachusetts and for California employers with more than 25 workers.Seattle’s largest employers will have to pay workers at least $16.00 an hour.
About the Author
Angel Castillo, Jr.
Angel Castillo, Jr. has significant experience during more than 30 years of practice in employment and other civil litigation and in domestic and international arbitrations. Mr. Castillo is AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been recognized by both the South Florida Legal Guide and Florida Super Lawyers as one of the top…
