The minimum wages across 27 states will increase in 2023 but will take effect on different dates depending on the state where you live.
Increase in Minimum Wages
Millions of Americans across the country have been asking for an increase in minimum wages due to the soaring inflation rate that causes the increase of prices in basic commodities. Finally, the increase will take effect next year. Here are some of the schedules:
- one increase was set to take effect on December 31, 2022;
- 22 increases were set to take effect on January 1, 2023;
- one was set to take effect on June 1, 2023;
- two were set to take effect on July 1, 2023; and
- one was set to take effect on September 30, 2023.
According to an article published in News Ballot Pedia, around 20 states used to pay the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25, and 30 states provided for state minimum wages above the federal minimum wage. The wage rate in 2023 will increase due to the increasing inflation rate.
States With the Highest and Lowest Wages
The state of Washington will have the highest minimum wage in 2023. It will increase from $15 to $16.10 on July 1, 2022. Additionally, residents in Washington voted on Initiative 82 in 2022 which aimed to increase the tipped minimum wage from $5.35.
On the other hand, Georgia and Wyoming have the lowest wages. They both have $5.15 minimum wages which are behind from the federal government’s $7.25 per hour requirement.