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