By: Anna A. Cohen and Nancy L. Gunzenhauser
It’s that time of year! As the new year rolls in, 13 states are increasing their minimum wage. Unless noted otherwise, all increases to the minimum wage reflected below will become effective on January 1, 2014.
| State | Current | New* |
| Arizona | $7.80 | $7.90 |
| California | $8.00 | $9.00 (effective 7/1/14) |
| Connecticut | $8.25 | $8.70 |
| Florida | $7.79 | $7.93 |
| Missouri | $7.25 | $7.50 |
| Montana | $7.80 | $7.90 |
| New Jersey | $7.25 | $8.25 |
| New York | $7.25 | $8.00 (effective 12/31/13) |
| Ohio | $7.85 | $7.95 |
| Oregon | $8.95 | $9.10 |
| Rhode Island | $7.75 | $8.00 |
| Vermont | $8.60 | $8.73 |
| Washington | $9.19 | $9.32 |
Although the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013, introduced in March 2013, would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour in three annual steps, the current federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour. Employers in states with minimum wage provisions that differ from the federal law must pay the higher of the two rates.
Employers operating in one of the 13 states increasing minimum wage in 2014 should ensure that their payroll is in compliance.
*Note: some states have also increased the minimum tip credit for eligible employees.