Employers in nine states will see the state minimum wage that they are required
to pay increase on January 1, 2009. The increases in these nine states will result
because these particular state minimum wage rates have been indexed to inflation.
The indexing occurred via legislation previously passed by the state legislatures.
The legislation requires these nine states to make annual adjustments to the state
minimum wage based upon inflation.
The nine states and the increased minimum hourly rates are:
- Arizona - $7.25
- Colorado - $7.28
- Florida - $7.21
- Missouri - $7.05
- Montana - $6.90
- Ohio - $7.30
- Oregon - $8.40
- Vermont - $8.06
- Washington - $8.55
Employees in two other states will also see their minimum wage rates increase on
January 1, 2009. Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase to $8.00 per hour and
New Mexico’s will increase to $7.50 per hour.
In Nevada, the state minimum wage rate, which is indexed to inflation, is adjusted
on an annual basis, but the adjusted rate goes into effect on July 1st of each year.
When the Federal minimum wage was increased to $6.55 per hour on July 24th, the
state minimum wage was increased to match the Federal rate. However, this rate is
only applicable to employees who work for employers who offer their employees qualified
health insurance. Employees of employers who are not offered qualified health insurance
by their employers must be paid a state required minimum wage of $6.85 per hour.