Posted on 07/01/2025 1:03:52 PM PDT by Red Badger
New state and local increases are boosting paychecks in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and other locations this week.
Workers in about 15 locations nationwide are about to receive a boost in their paychecks, thanks to minimum wage increases that went into effect this week around the country. On Tuesday, July 1, minimum wage increases went into effect in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington D.C. Additionally, 12 cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles, are doing the same.
The minimum wage hasn’t changed on a federal level since 2009. It remains stuck at $7.25. However, local governments have been moving the needle over the years, which is good news for workers, given the cost of living is at an all-time high.
Previously, on January 1, 21 states increased their minimum wage, impacting some 9.2 million workers. The July 1 wage increase isn’t quite so far-reaching, but it will still impact more than 880,000 workers, according to a recent report from the Economic Policy Institute. Per the report, the wage bump will collectively raise those workers’ earnings by around $397 million.
Washington, D.C., increased its minimum wage to $17.95, from $17.50. And statewide, Oregon went from $14.70 to $15.05, and Alaska, from $11.91 to $13.
In other areas of the country, changes vary depending on the city or county. And in some states, the minimum wage is set to increase little by little. In Alaska, which just upped its rate by $1.09 (from $11.91 to $13), it will increase until it reaches $15 in 2027.
Some wage increases depend on the size of companies, too. In Maryland’s Montgomery County, employers with 10 or fewer employees now have to pay them $15.50 an hour, up from $15. If companies have 11 to 50 employees, the rate is $16, up from $15.50. And if there are 51 or more employees, the rate is $17.65, up from $17.15.
Another notable point is that some locations increased not only the minimum wage, but also the minimum wage for tipped workers (those who rely mostly on tips and a traditionally low hourly wage). In Chicago, the minimum wage went from $16.20 to $16.60. The rate for tipped workers went from $11.20 to $12.62.
Currently, there are only a handful of locations with minimum wages over $20. The state of California pays fast-food workers $20 an hour, and Seattle has a minimum wage of $20.67. Now, the cities of Tukwila and Everett, Washington, have joined the over-$20-an-hour club. In Tukwila, employers with 15 to 500 workers will now pay minimum-wage employees an hourly rate of $21.10—up a full dollar from $20.10. In Everett, employers with more than 500 employees will pay a minimum rate of $20.24, up from $16.66.
For a full list, as well as to see other minimum wage increases set to hit in 2025, check out the National Employment Law Project’s “Raises From Coast to Coast in 2025” report. Find it here.
https://www.nelp.org/insights-research/raises-from-coast-to-coast-in-2025/
Yep!
A bargain to have a workable civil society again.
And Big Macs are not only expensive already, but not good for you.
(It’s the “special sauce” that gets you eating a brillo pad between a couple of ultraprocessed buns!)
What state do single folk receive those benefits while making gross $2888.per month? Thanks.
Why is it greedy to try and get the best employees you can at the lowest price possible? That’s just good management. If the US is stupid enough to let illegals into the country, that’s one the gov’t, not the businesses.
We could give the death penalty to those traitors that hire illegals. Works for me.
Another "journalist" who doesn't know squat about economics. Supposedly, the minimum wage is designed "to help low wage, often young, minority, workers" earn a higher income.
Last night, employers knew they cannot sustain their current staff at the new wage. So, they look around for the least productive worker, who happens to be a young, inexperienced, often minority employee, to fire this morning. As a result, anytime there's an increase in the minimum wage, the next day there is an unemployment pool with workers saying: "Yeah, but if I had a job I'd be making more!"
Stupid.
Not how it works. Increases in labor are passed on to consumer just like when any cost of production increases.
Did you really say that? We're talking about illegal aliens here, right? Tell me, are you OK with thousands of U.S. employers hiring millions of illegal aliens so they can enjoy bigger profits?
It appears the federal minimum wage is an anachronism. Most if not all of the states are well above that 7.25 level. Ohio minimum wage is 10.70, but any fast food outlet wanting to hire someone is offering 15. Market requires that. And that’s how it should be.
Tell me, who do ya think the big donors were who were giving money to the corrupt politicians to ensure those borders remained wide open? It's one more reason why the borders were a lawless free for all for decades. They never had any intention of securing the borders prior to Trump.
What is not good for you in a Big Mac?
Not according to Trump. He says there zero inflation. In fact, he said it yesterday. 50 cents an hour isn’t going to suddenly cause a headache. Of course, if it does, 2026 could be even worse.
What is good for you in a Big Mac?
“What is good for you in a Big Mac?”
two 100% beef patties, Big Mac sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and a sesame seed bun
Or maybe the McDonald’s CEO doesn’t need 18 million every year. That’s quite insane. You must admit that.
So not true. You obviously are clueless to the turnover of employees in these jobs. No boss is going to fire “hard to get employees already” over 50 cent raise. that’s so stupidly absurd.
Those aren’t beef patties, they’re Brillo pads!
Bun ingredients: Enriched Flour (wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% Or Less: Sesame Seeds, Potato Starch, Salt, Dextrose, Corn Starch, Modified Food Starch, Vinegar, Vegetable Proteins (pea, Potato, Rice And/or Faba Bean), Sunflower And/or Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Wheat Gluten, Natural Flavors, Dough Conditioners (enzymes, Ascorbic Acid).
Sauce ingredients: Soybean Oil, Sweet Relish (diced Pickles, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Corn Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives), Water, Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Spices, Onion Powder, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed Corn, Soy And Wheat), Sugar, Caramel Color, Turmeric, Extractives Of Paprika, Soy Lecithin.
Cheese: Pasteurized process American cheese.
Last time I had a McWhopper I ate half, got disgusted and tossed it on the ground for my German Shepherd. The dog walked over and sniffed it, and walked away.
Washington state - $16.66
The federal minimum wage is almost meaningless.
“Watch your tipping...tipping was a way to reward good service for workers who didn’t make much..now,they make a lot more...I am at least cutting back to 15%.”
When they use the portable credit card machines, I pay with cash as then I can leave whatever tip I want and make it out of the joint before they notice, as often my tip is zero in high-wage jurisdictions (after all, they already make a ‘living wage’, he-he).
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