Megan K. Mechak
Thurs., January 2, 2025
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which means that employers cannot pay workers who are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act less than that per hour worked. The federal minimum wage has remained stagnant since July 24, 2009. However, many states have higher minimum wages for workers employed in those states. Around the country, the minimum wage increased in the following states, effective on January 1, 2025:
- Alaska increased its minimum wage to $11.91 per hour;
- Arizona’s minimum wage increased to $14.70 per hour; Flagstaff’s minimum wage increased to $17.85 per hour, and Tucson’s increased to $15.00 per hour;
- California’s minimum wage increased to $16.50 per hour (approximately thirty local jurisdictions have imposed higher minimum wages);
- Colorado’s minimum wage increased to $14.81 per hour, with Denver’s local minimum wage increasing to $18.81 per hour, Boulder increasing its local minimum wage to $15.57 and $16.57 in unincorporated areas, and Edgewater requiring employers to pay a minimum wage of $16.52;
- Delaware’s minimum wage increased to $15.00 per hour;
- Illinois’s minimum wage increased to $15.00 per hour;
- Maine’s minimum wage increased to $14.65 per hour (Portland’s minimum wage increases to $15.50 per hour, and Rockland’s minimum wage is now $15.38);
- Minnesota’s minimum wage increased to $11.13 per hour for employers while employer’s in St. Paul with 101 or more employees must pay workers at least $15.97 per hour;
- Missouri’s minimum wage increased to $13.75 per hour;
- Montana’s minimum wage increased to $10.55 per hour;
- Nebraska’s minimum wage increased to $13.50 per hour;
- New Jersey’s minimum wage increased to $15.49 per hour for employers with more than 6 employees and $14.53 per hour for seasonal employers and employers with fewer thank 6 employees;
- New York’s minimum wage increased to $16.50 per hour for New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, while the minimum wage for the rest of the state increased to $15.50;
- Ohio’s minimum wage increased to $10.70 per hour for employers with annual gross receipts of more than $394,000;
- Rhode Island’s minimum wage increased to $15.00 per hour;
- South Dakota’s minimum wage increased to $11.50 per hour;
- Vermont’s minimum wage increased to $14.01 per hour;
- Virginia’s minimum wage increased to $12.41 per hour; and
- Washington’s minimum wage increased to $16.66 per hour, with Seattle’s local minimum wage increasing to $20.76 per hour, and other local jurisdictions imposing higher minimum wages as well.
Even if a state or local minimum wage did not increase on January 1, 2025, it may still exceed the federal minimum wage.
If you think your employer has not been paying you the lawful minimum wage, please contact us online, by phone at 202-833-8855, or by email at info@mselaborlaw.com.
