Every state raising its minimum wage in 2021
Juliana Kaplan  Â
- To kick off 2021, 20 states raised their minimum wages.
- According to a report from the National Employment Law Project, a record-breaking number of jurisdictions are set to increase their minimum wages this year.
- President-elect Joe Biden has previously expressed support for a national $15 minimum wage.
Some hourly workers will see larger paychecks in 2021. Twenty states already increased their minimum wages at the start of the year, and several more will see boosts in the coming months.
Workers in New Mexico will get the largest bump. They'll receive an additional $1.50 an hour, with the state's hourly wage now cracking four digits.
Overall, the movement to increase the minimum wage has seen major gains in the past year. President-elect Joe Biden doubled down on his support for a $15 minimum wage in October. As Insider's Joseph Zeballos-Roig noted in an analysis, raising the minimum wage has not consistently negatively impacted employment - and could put more money in the pockets of 27 million workers.
A 2019 Pew Research Center poll found that 67% of Americans support raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour; Insider polling from 2019 also found that 63% of respondents supported the increase.
A record-breaking number of jurisdictions will increase their minimum wages in 2021, according to a report from the National Unemployment Law Project. Here's where workers are already getting paid more - and where they will soon.
In Alaska, the minimum wage rose by $0.15 to $10.34 effective January 1.
The increase is part of an annual adjustment for inflation, according to the state's Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Arizona's minimum wage also increased annually for inflation, going from $12 to $12.15.
Per the Economic Policy Institute, the city of Flagstaff actually has its own, higher minimum wage. In 2021, the minimum wage in Flagstaff will be $15.
In Arkansas, the minimum wage increased from $10 to $11 effective January 1.
In California, the minimum wage increased from $13 to $14 effective January 1.
From 2017 on, the minimum wage has increased yearly.
In Colorado, the minimum wage increased from $12 to $12.32.
After the minimum wage reached $12 in January 2020, the state now adjusts annually for cost of living.
Connecticut is set to increase the minimum wage from $12 to $13 on August 1.
On January 1, the minimum wage in Florida increased from $8.56 to $8.65. It will increase to $10 effective September 30.
Florida is incrementally raising its minimum wage to $15 by 2026, making it the most conservative state to do so, as Insider previously reported.
In Illinois, the minimum wage increased from $10 to $11.
Illinois also has two areas with different minimum wages, according to the Economic Policy Institute: Chicago and its surrounding Cook County. In Chicago, the minimum wage will increase from $14 to $15 on July 1. In Cook County, the minimum wage of $13 will see an annual increase on July 1 tied to the consumer price index.
In Maine, the minimum wage increased from $12 to $12.15.
It's the first annual increase for cost of living.
In Maryland, the minimum wage increased from $11 to $11.75 effective January 1.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, Maryland also has two areas with different minimum wages: Montgomery County and Prince George's County.
On July 1, the minimum wage in Montgomery County will increase from $14 to $15. Prince George's County had its own minimum wage of $11.50 until January 1, when it changed to Maryland's state rate.
In Massachusetts, the minimum wage increased from $12.75 to $13.50 effective January 1.
The minimum wage will increase by an additional $.75 in 2022 and in 2023.
In Minnesota, the minimum wage rose from $10 to $10.08 effective January 1.
The rate was adjusted for inflation.
In Missouri, the minimum wage increased from $9.45 to $10.30 effective January 1.
The minimum wage will increase by $0.85 again in 2022 and 2023.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, both Kansas City and St. Louis passed their own minimum wage ordinances in 2015, although their rates are the same as the state's.
In Montana, the minimum wage increased from $8.65 to $8.75.
Gov. Steve Bullock said the wage is tied to inflation.
In Nevada, the minimum wage is set to increase from $9 to $9.75.
The wage will gradually increase to $12 in 2024.
In New Jersey, the minimum wage increased from $11 to $12.
The state's minimum wage will increase by $1 each year until hitting $15 in 2024.
In New Mexico, the minimum wage increased from $9 to $10.50.
The state minimum wage will gradually increase through 2023, when it will become $12.
In New York, the minimum wage increased from $11.80 to $12.50, effective December 31, 2020.
In New York City, the minimum wage is $15, and in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties the minimum wage increased from $13 to $14 on December 31, 2020, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
In Ohio, the minimum wage increased from $8.70 to $8.80.
The state had an annual increase on January 1.
In Oregon, the minimum wage is set to increase from $12 to $12.75 on July 1.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, both the Portland Urban Growth Boundary and non-urban counties have different minimum wages. (Under state law, each metropolitan area has such a land use planning line around its perimeter, to control urban expansion.)
In the Portland Urban Growth Boundary, the minimum wage will increase from $13.25 to $14.50 on July 1. And in non-urban counties, the minimum wage will increase from $11.50 to $12 on July 1.
In South Dakota, the minimum wage increased from $9.30 to $9.45.
The state had an annual increase on January 1.
In Vermont, the minimum wage increased from $10.96 to $11.75.
The wage rose as part of annual indexing.
In Virginia, the minimum wage is set to increase from $7.25 to $9.50 on May 1.
The wage will gradually increase until it is $15 in 2026.
In Washington, the minimum wage increased from $13.50 to $13.69.
The state adjusts the wage each year with a cost-of-living increase.
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement