Lower-paying entry-level jobs are needed “to start a worker’s ascent up the career ladder,” according to the US Chamber of Commerce. There’s an inherent imbalance of bargaining power between employers and employees. The minimum wage in the Portland metro area is $15.45 per hour and the minimum wage in nonurban counties is $13.20 per hour. While we take all precautions to ensure that the data on this site is correct minimum wages and up-to-date, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the labor law data we present. Jobs that a minimum wage is most likely to directly affect are those that pay close to the minimum. “It strikes the best possible balance between the needs of workers and affordability for business while delivering on our commitment for the National Living Wage to reach two-thirds of median earnings by 2024,” they added.
However, some states do have laws under which such claims (sometimes including fringe benefits) may be filed. The government last week said it would pause efforts to drive up the minimum wage further amid business concerns over rising costs, after several years of above-inflation increases to hit a target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024. However, workers on the legal pay floor will still be left £1,092 a year short of the voluntary “real living wage” set by the Living Wage Foundation charity, which is paid by thousands of employers to reflect household costs. Time and one-half premium pay for work on Sundays and holidays in retail and certain other businesses is required under two laws that are separate from the minimum wage law. As we step into 2024, navigating the shifting rules of minimum wage laws across various states becomes more than a mere compliance exercise—it’s a strategic imperative. This article serves as your compass, guiding through significant hikes and subtle tweaks in minimum wage rates from coast to coast.
Minimum wage in America: How many people are earning $7.25 an hour?
After one contentious victory, the SEIU is gearing up for more fights for similar raises for fast-food workers in other states. SEIU President Mary Kay Henry told CNBC that New York, Washington and Illinois are all potential battlegrounds. “Many of the California [quick-service restaurant] urban locations are already paying $19 and $20,” he said. “We believe that’s partly why they agreed to do it in the first place.”
4 A Montana business not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4.00 per hour. “It seems to me to be equally plain that no business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country.” The pay rate is calculated using a basket of goods, taking into consideration everyday costs such as a weekly shop, household bills, a surprise trip to the dentist, and extras for a decent life such as a birthday present for a child.
Local ordinances
Some affected chains have responded to the mandated wage hike by slashing their workforces and hiking their menu prices. Franchisees for pizza chains Papa John’s, Round Table and Pizza Hut laid off drivers ahead of the deadline. McDonald’s, Wingstop and Chipotle Mexican Grill are among the chains that have said they’ll pass on the higher labor costs to their customers by making their menu items more expensive. Restaurants making cuts are mostly pizzerias, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal. Multiple businesses have plans to axe hundreds of jobs, as well as cut back hours and freeze hiring, the report shows. The minimum wage will increase to $10.50 per hour on July 1, 2024, unless the Commonwealth issues a decree changing the amount.
- In that case, increases in the federal minimum wage would have smaller effects.
- Many studies have found such changes have little or no effect, but many others have found that increases in minimum wages lead to substantial reductions in employment.
- There are five states without state minimum wage laws (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee) and two with minimum wages set below the federal level (Georgia and Wyoming).
- Raising the minimum wage would increase the cost of employing low-wage workers.
- If workers lost their jobs because of a minimum-wage increase, how long would they stay jobless?
California will test how the sector-specific minimum wage affects workers, their employers and the broader labor market. Fast-food chains, industry experts and economists will be watching to see if the gloomy predictions for job losses come to pass — or if higher pay comes with benefits even for the businesses dispensing the wages. 2024 marks a significant year for minimum wage increases across various states. Some states stand out with substantial hikes, adjusting wages to better align with living costs and economic changes.
Encyclopedia Tools Menu
We frequently add data and we’re interested in what would be useful to people. If you have a specific recommendation, you can reach us at [email protected]. A network of state and local organizations improving workers’ lives through research and advocacy. Exploring how race, ethnicity, and class intersect to affect economic outcomes in the United States. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. This site is a free public service not affiliated with the Department of Labor or any governmental organization.
