What to Know About the Widespread Minimum Wage Increase, by the Numbers
Starting tomorrow, 20 states will increase their minimum wage levels.
— -- It will be a happier new year in 2015 for millions of workers who will receive a pay raise following a minimum wage increase in 21 states.
For the first time, the majority of states, plus the District of Columbia, will have minimum wage levels higher than the federal minimum of $7.25 next year. Though the increases are slight, they will make a difference for some hourly workers supporting their households. Twenty states will increase their minimum wages as of tomorrow while Alaska will raise its minimum on Feb. 24.
The increases are up to $1, with an average wage of $8, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Several cities also have scheduled minimum wage increases in 2015, including SeaTac, Washington, where it will be $15.24, and San Francisco, where it will rise to $11.05 on January 1 and $12.25 on May 1.
The increases are through a mix of legislative changes, ballot measures and automatic cost-of-living increases.
A bill backed by President Obama to raise the federal minimum to $10.10 an hour has faced opposition in Congress.
Here are some more facts about the wage increases by state:
The Lowest: Arkansas Among the 21 states increasing their minimum wage, the lowest minimum will be in Arkansas, where it will rise $1.25 to $7.50 starting tomorrow. The rise will affect approximately 56,000 workers, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Largest Rate Rise: Massachusetts: The biggest percentage rate increase will take place in Massachusetts, where the wage is increasing $1 to $9.
Biggest Effect: New York: The Empire State's increase of 75 cents to $8.75 is projected to affect the most workers by state, according to the National Employment Law Project: 711,000 people. New York is actually increasing its minimum today from legislation that passed last year and increases the state’s minimum wage in three steps to $9.00 by Dec. 31, 2015.
Highest Wage: Washington: The Evergreen State will continue to have highest minimum wage when it increases by 15 cents to $9.47.
