Minimum wage increases set to raise pay for workers in 25 U.S. states

A significant rise in the minimum wage is expected to take effect in 2024 across 25 U.S. states. In California, the minimum wage for fast food workers will reach $20 in 2024, marking a substantial increase. This hike is part of a wider trend, as half of the U.S. states are planning to elevate their minimum wages in the coming year. Notably, the minimum wage will be raised to at least $16 an hour in California, New York, and Washington. The new minimum wages will come into effect on varying dates, with 22 states implementing the change on January 1, and Nevada, Oregon, and Florida following suit on different dates later in the year. In contrast, the federal minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009, will still apply to workers in 20 states. The increase in minimum wage is expected to provide relief for low-wage workers grappling with rising inflation, which has led to increased costs of living. This development is particularly beneficial for workers of color and women, who are overrepresented among low-wage earners, according to the Center for American Progress. Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, highlights the positive impact of increasing the minimum wage, emphasizing the potential to boost consumer spending and benefit businesses and communities. These state-level minimum wage increases further widen the gap with federal minimum wage standards, with workers in six states guaranteed baseline pay more than double the federal minimum wage. Notably, some cities, such as Denver, are also set to raise their minimum wage above the statewide level, with the city's minimum wage surpassing the state's rate on January 1.