2018 Brings New Wave of Minimum Wage Increases

A number of states are kicking the new year off with hourly wage increases, according to data compiled by National Employment Law Project.

Some states like California and New York will ease into the increases that will eventually reach $15 an hour. Other states like Florida, Ohio, and Missouri will ring in new cost-of-living index adjustments. Beyond the states’ changes, nearly half a dozen cities and counties across the country will also raise minimum wages in 2018. And, there will likely be more wage hikes headed down the pike in the next couple of years. Campaigns for minimum wage increases are expected in at least 14 states and 3 cities between 2018 and 2020.

A few of the wage changes will go into effect in July of next year rather than January. Here’s a look at some of the states involved and the increases:

• Arizona: $10 per hour increases to $10.50 per hour. The rate is scheduled to go up by another 50 cents in 2019, reaching $12 per hour by 2020.
• California: $10.50 per hour increases to $11 per hour. The rate is scheduled to reach $15 by 2022.
• Colorado: $9.30 per hour increases to $10.20 per hour. The rate is scheduled to increase to $11.10 in 2019, then to $12 in 2020.
• Hawaii: $9.25 per hour increases to $10.10 per hour.
• Maine: $9 per hour increases to $10 per hour. The rate is scheduled to increase to $11 in 2019, and $12 in 2020.
• Michigan: $8.90 per hour increases to $9.25.
• New York: $9.70 per hour for most of the state increases to $10.40 per hour on Dec. 31. The rate with continue to increase until reaching $12.50 in 2020. Then, increases will be based on cost of living to raise the wage to $15 per hour. (In New York City, the minimum wage for employers of 11 or more people increases to $13 per hour on Dec. 31, and $12 per hour for smaller businesses. The rate increases for smaller businesses annually to reach $15 in 2019. On Long Island and in Westchester, the rate increases to $11 on Dec. 31.)
• Rhode Island: $9.60 per hour increases to $10.10. Subsequent increases will take the rate to $10.50 per hour in 2019.
• Vermont: $10 per hour increases to $10.50 per hour.
• Washington: $11 per hour increases to $11.50. The rate is scheduled to increase to $12 in 2019, and $13.50 in 2020.