Almost half of the states, along with 40 local jurisdictions, are set to ring in 2024 with increases to minimum wage, according to the Polsinelli law firm.
The 22 states with minimum wage increases coming in the new year: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Washington.
Local communities with minimum wage increases coming that are higher than the applicable state minimum wage, according to labor attorney Derek McKee of Polsinelli, are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine and Maryland.
“Employers should confirm that any minimum wage rates are adjusted properly,” McKee cautioned. “In addition, employers with tip credit employees should review their tip credit notices to ensure full compliance with applicable laws (including cash wage being paid to the tipped employee and amount of tip credit claimed by employer).”
As of Jan. 1, seven states and Washington, DC, will have minimum wages of $15 or more. That’s up from four states and DC at the start of 2023, CNN reported. The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009.
Washington state will see the highest state minimum wage at the start of the year, at $16.28, followed by California, at $16 per hour.
In October, the minimum wage for nursing home, assisted living and other healthcare workers in California was increased to $25 an hour, to be implemented in stages. The minimum wage for covered healthcare workers will be $23 per hour from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025; $24 per hour from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026; and $25 per hour starting June 1, 2026.
According to CNN, other states will be implementing increases later in the year. Nevada and Oregon have increases set for July 1, with Florida bumping up its rate on Sept. 30.
