If You Work in 1 of These States, You May Have Just Gotten a Raise

January 11, 2018

A new year is upon us, and for residents of some states and counties that means more money. This is welcome news for workers who are struggling to get by. Recently, it was announced there would be a hike in minimum wage for 18 states and roughly 20 cities and counties by January 1, 2018. This increase will provide more than $5 billion in additional wages to 4.5 million workers across the United States, reports the Economic Policy Institute.

According to the National Employment Law Project, three more states and 18 cities and counties will provide minimum wage increases later in 2018. This will bring the total to 21 states and 35 cities and counties. Here are the states where the minimum wage has increased.

18. Missouri

The state is trying to match inflation. | Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $7.85

Missouri’s minimum wage increase is a result of an inflation adjustment. The new minimum wage is $7.85 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 15-cent increase. This change directly benefits 44,000 Missouri workers (1.6% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $30,263,000.

Next: The Sunshine State

17. Florida

Another state adjusting for inflation. | dawnamoore/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $8.25

Florida’s minimum wage increase is a result of an inflation adjustment. The new minimum wage is $8.25 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 15-cent increase. This change directly benefits 185,000 Florida workers (2.2% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $181,003,000.

Next: Big Sky Country

16. Montana

fall saturated color in Glacier National Park

It will benefit less than 2% of the state’s workforce. | ChrisBoswell/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $8.30

Montana’s minimum wage increase is a result of an inflation adjustment. The new minimum wage is $8.30 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 15-cent increase. This change directly benefits 8,000 Montana workers (1.9% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $8,111,000.

Next: The Buckeye State

15. Ohio

Minimum-wage workers in Ohio are getting a 15-cent increase. | AndreyKrav/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $8.30

Ohio’s minimum wage increase is a result of an inflation adjustment. The new minimum wage is $8.30 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 15-cent increase. This change directly benefits 146,000 Ohio workers (2.9% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $106,605,000.

Next: Workers in the Garden State get a pay raise

14. New Jersey

The change benefits more than 90,000 workers. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $8.60

New Jersey’s minimum wage increase is a result of an inflation adjustment. The new minimum wage is $8.60 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 16-cent increase. This change directly benefits 91,000 New Jersey workers (2.3% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $93,067,000.

Next: Heading to the home of Mount Rushmore

13. South Dakota

A tourist takes a picture of Mount Rushmore National Memorial from outside the park on October 1, 2013 in Keystone, South Dakota. Mount Rushmore and all other national parks were closed today after congress failed to pass a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job. A bulletin issued by the Department of Interior states, 'Effective immediately upon a lapse in appropriations, the National Park Service will take all necessary steps to close and secure national park facilities and grounds in order to suspend all activities ...Day use visitors will be instructed to leave the park immediately...' (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Wages are getting a 20-cent boost in South Dakota. | Scott Olson/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $8.85

South Dakota’s minimum wage increase is a result of inflation adjustment. The new minimum wage is $8.85 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 20-cent increase. This change directly benefits 10,000 South Dakota workers (2.7% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $8,344,000.

Next: A 35-cent pay increase for minimum-wage workers in the Wolverine State

12. Michigan

Over 250,000 Michigan workers will benefit. | garyrennis/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $9.25

Michigan’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $9.25 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 35-cent increase. This change directly benefits 257,000 Michigan workers (6.1% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $219,846,000.

Next: An inflation adjustment benefits workers in this Midwestern state

11. Minnesota

The new minimum wage went into effect on January 1, 2018. | RudyBalasko/iStock/Getty Images Plus

New minimum wage: $9.65

Minnesota’s minimum wage increase is a result of inflation adjustment. The new minimum wage is $9.65 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 15-cent increase. This change directly benefits 129,000 Minnesota workers (6.1% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $115,838,000.

Next: A pay bump in America’s Last Frontier

10. Alaska

Byers Lake, Alaska, with a view of Denali

Alaskan wages need to account for higher prices. | Mbarrettimages/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $9.84

Alaska’s minimum wage increase is a result of inflation adjustment. The new minimum wage is $9.84 as of January 1, 2018. The increase is just four cents, which is the lowest increase of all the states on this list. This change directly benefits 12,000 Alaskan workers (4.1% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $18,908,000.

Next: Minimum wage is going up by $1 in this next state.

9. Maine

Maine bumped it up by $1 dollar. | Atlantic_Adv/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $10.00

Maine’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $10.00 as of January 1, 2018, which is a $1 increase. This change directly benefits 59,000 Maine workers (10.4% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $79,577,000.

Next: Nearly 9% of workers in this island state will benefit from a minimum wage increase.

8. Hawaii

The increase will benefit over 50,000 workers. | maximkabb/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $10.10

Hawaii’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $10.10 as of January 1, 2018, which is an 85-cent increase. This change directly benefits 51,000 Hawaii workers (8.6% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $68,503,000.

Next: A 50-cent increase for workers in this tiny state

7. Rhode Island

Wages are going up by 50 cents. | randydellinger/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $10.10

Rhode Island’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $10.10 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 50-cent increase. This change directly benefits 30,000 Rhode Island workers (6.2% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $44,335,000.

Next: Voters approved a 90-cent minimum wage increase in this state.

6. Colorado

Colorado workers got a boost of nearly a dollar. | Nick1803/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $10.20

Colorado’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $10.20 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 90-cent increase. This change directly benefits 167,000 Colorado workers (6.8% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $250,296,000.

Next: In the next state, a minimum wage hike will benefit 379,000 workers.

5. New York

New York voters approved an increase. | batuhanozdel/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $10.40

New York’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $10.40 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 70-cent increase. This change directly benefits 379,000 New York workers (4.5% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $425,415,000.

Next: Sixteen percent of workers in this Western state just got a pay raise.

4. Arizona

The minimum wage in Arizona is up from $10. | iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $10.50

Arizona’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $10.50 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 50-cent increase. This change directly benefits 448,000 Arizona workers (16.4% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $389,517,000.

Next: Voters approved a minimum wage hike in this Northeastern state.

3. Vermont

Vermont’s new law will benefit 31,000 workers. | Comstock/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $10.50

Vermont’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $10.50 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 50-cent increase. This change directly benefits 31,000 Vermont workers (10.6% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $34,694,000.

Next: More than 2 million people in this state just got a pay raise.

2. California

The minimum wage will go up 50 cents. | LUNAMARINA/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $11.00

California’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $11.00 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 50-cent increase. This change directly benefits 2,095,000 California workers (13.1% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $2,686,724,000.

Next: This Western state has one of the highest minimum wages in the U.S.

1. Washington

12% of workers will see an increase. | Rachael Griffin/iStock/Getty Images

New minimum wage: $11.50

Washington’s minimum wage increase is a result of legislation approved by voters. The new minimum wage is $11.50 as of January 1, 2018, which is a 50-cent increase. This change directly benefits 370,000 Washington workers (12% of the state’s workforce), and will result in a total increase in annual wages of $411,282,000.

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