Workers across the United States are getting a raise this week after minimum wage increases took effect across several states and localities Tuesday.
The wage increases are expected to affect more than 880,000 workers this summer as minimum wage laws take effect in areas including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, D.C. and certain cities in California and Washington state, according to a report by The Economic Policy Institute.
In Everett, Washington, a city just north of Seattle, companies with more than 500 employees are now required to pay a minimum of $20.24 an hour. In Alaska, the statewide minimum wage is now $13.00 an hour, up from $11.91 — meaning a full-time, year-round worker in Alaska will receive an average annual wage increase of $925, according to the report.
Nationally, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009, but in many areas, state and local governments have enacted higher minimums.
A full-time worker in every U.S. county would need to earn at least $17 an hour to afford basic expenses such as housing, food, transportation and health care, according to The Economic Policy Institute’s family budget calculator.
Where minimum wage increases went into effect on July 1
Alaska
- Statewide increase to $13 (from $11.91)
California
District of Columbia
- Increase to $17.95 from $17.50
- Tipped minimum wage: $12 (from $10)
Illinois
In Chicago:
- Increased to $16.60 (from $16.20) for employers with four or more employees
- Tipped minimum wage: $12.62 (from $11.20)
Maryland
- Employers with 10 or fewer employees: $15.50 (from $15)
- Employers with 11 to 50 employees: $16 (from $15.50)
- Employers with 51 or more employees: $17.65 (from $17.15)
Minnesota
In Saint Paul:
- Employers with six to 100 employees: $15 (from $14)
- Employers with five or fewer employees: $13.25 (from $12.25)
Oregon
- Standard: $15.05 (from $14.70)
- Portland metro area: $16.30 (from $15.95)
- Nonurban counties: $14.05 (from $13.70)
Washington
- Everett: Employers with 15 to 500 employees increased to $18.24 (from $16.66). Employers with more than 500 employees increased to $20.24 (from $16.66).
- Renton: Employers with more than 500 employees increased to $19.90 (from $18.90)
- Tukwila: Employers with 15 to 500 employees increased to $21.10 (from $20.10)
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