23 States Raised Their Minimum Wage At The Beginning Of 2023

 Minimum wage workers will receive a pay raise in 23 states this year due to minimum wage increases going into effect, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Wage increases went into effect Jan 1. in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Washington, AP reported.

Washington state’s minimum wage grew from $14.49 to $15.74 an hour, the highest of any state and more than twice the $7.25 federal rate. The state will also require job postings to have salary disclosures and other details, according to local outlet K5.

California’s minimum wage increased to $15.50 an hour, the second highest of any state, as part of a 2017 state law to gradually raise the state’s $10 minimum wage, CBS reported. 

Nebraska’s minimum wage increased from $9 to $10.50 an hour due to a November ballot measure. The state’s minimum wage will gradually increase to $15 an hour by 2026 and adjust for inflation moving forward.

Maryland’s minimum wage went up from $12.50 to $13.25 an hour and Virginia’s minimum wage went up from $11 to $12 an hour for most employees, Axios reported.

Connecticut’s minimum wage increase will go into effect June 1. and Nevada’s will begin on July 1. Florida’s wage increase will begin Sept. 30th as part of a gradual increase to $15 an hour passed in a 2020 state referendum, Fox 35 reported.

The $7.25 an hour federal minimum wage has gone unchanged since 2009, the longest period since the minimum wage was established in 1938, according to the Department of Labor. There are 20 states following the federal rate and 30 states with laws requiring a higher minimum wage.