In 22 states, the minimum wage is rising to $17, giving millions of Americans a New Year’s pay rise.
22 States to Bring New Year’s Salary Increase for Millions
The minimum wage adjustments in these states take effect January 1, 2024. Maryland, New Mexico, and New York are boosting the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Indexing and inflation are raising minimum wages in 13 states.
These minimum wages will take effect on January 1:
Alaska: $11.73, up $10.85
Arizona: $13.85 to $14.35
California: $16 (was $15.50)
Proposed $14.42 in Colorado, up from $13.65
— Connecticut: $15.69, up from $15
DE: $13.25, up from $11.75.
Fla.: $13, up from $12 (beginning Sept. 30).
Hawaii: $14, up from $12.
Illinois: $14, up from $13
Maine was $14.15, up from $13.80.
Maryland: $15 (increase from $13.25 (big employers) and $12.80 (small employers)
From $10.10 to $10.33 in Michigan
In Minnesota, major companies paid $10.85, up from $10.59, and others $8.85, up from $8.63.
Missouri: $12.30, up from $12.
Montana cost $10.30, up from $9.95.
Lincoln: $12, up from $10.50
(effective July 1, 2024) Nevada: $12, up from $10.25 or $11.25.
$14.13 to $15.13 in New Jersey
New York: $15 (up from $14.20); Ohio: $10.45 (up from $10.10); Oregon: $14.20 (starting July 1).
Rhode Island: $14 (up from $13) • South Dakota: $11.20 • Vermont: $13.67 (up from $13.18).
Washington: $16.28, up from $15.74 • District of Columbia: $17 (inflation-adjusted minimum wage on July 1)
Boost in Minimum Wage
However, 20 states, mostly in the South and Midwest, including Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Carolinas, will preserve the federal minimum wage at $7.25.
Since July, DC’s minimum wage has been $17 per hour, higher than any state’s. The economy benefits from this adjustment because it gives lower-wage earners more spending power to offset inflation. Cities like New York City ($16) and West Hollywood ($19.08) have slightly higher minimum wages than their states. California fast-food workers will receive a $20-an-hour minimum wage in April.
Though these adjustments are helpful, McDonald’s may pass on higher labor costs to customers.