The new year 2018 is upon us and if you have hourly wage employees at your small business, there’s nearly a 50-50 chance you’ll be paying them more right away.
A total of 18 states have raised the minimum wage for hourly employees, effective Jan. 1, 2018, according to information from the Labor Law Center.
2018 Minimum Wage Increases (so far…)
The following states increased their minimum wage on New Year’s Day 2018:
Alaska
Workers in Alaska must now be paid a minimum wage of $9.84, up just 4 cents from the rate in 2017.
Arizona
The minimum wage in Arizona is now $10.50. In 2017, it was an even $10 per hour.
California
There is a special rate for small businesses in California. Companies with 25 or less employees now have to pay $10.50 per hour.
Colorado
The minimum wage rose nearly $1 per hour overnight in Colorado. It’s now at $10.20. It had been $9.30.
Florida
Workers making minimum wage in Florida must now get $8.25 an hour. They were making $8.10 hourly.
Hawai’i
In Hawai’i, the hourly minimum wage is $10.10 now. It was $9.25 in 2017.
Maine
Downeasters must now get paid at least $10 per hour. Last year, Mainers made $9 per hour under the state’s minimum wage.
Michigan
From Detroit to the U.P., the minimum wage in Michigan rose from $8.90 to $9.25 with the dawn of 2018.
Minnesota
The minimum wage for small businesses in Minnesota is at $7.87 but for bigger companies, it’s $9.65.
Missouri
Minimum wage employees must now get $7.85 per hour in the Show Me State. In 2017, the rate was $7.70.
Montana
The minimum wage also rose 15 cents in Montana. It’s now at $8.30 per hour when it had been $8.15 in 2017.
New Jersey
Hourly workers in The Garden State must now get $8.60 per hour. In 2017, the minimum wage was $8.44.
New York
New York is another state with several local minimum wages in place. However, statewide, the minimum wage is now $10.40 per hour. Last year, it was $9.70.
Ohio
This is another state with a modest 15-cent raise in the minimum wage, from $8.15 to $8.30 per hour.
Rhode Island
Minimum wage workers in The Ocean State must now get $10.10 per hour, up 50 cents from 2017’s $9.60 per hour rate.
South Dakota
The minimum wage went up in South Dakota on New Year’s Day from $8.65 to $8.85.
Vermont
If you’ve got hourly employees in Vermont, they must now get $10.50 per hour, up from the $10 per hour minimum in 2017.
Washington
In conclusion, minimum wage in Washington also rose 50 cents, now at $11.50 in 2018. Last year, it was $11.
The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 and hasn’t changed since 2009.
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