Several State Minimum Wages to Increase in July
The federal minimum wage will increase to $6.55 per hour on July 24, 2008. However, many states also have minimum wage laws, and quite a few are higher than the federal minimum. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.
Minimum wages in four states will be increasing on July 1st, as follows:
- Illinois: $7.75
- Kentucky: $6.55
- Michigan: $7.40
- West Virginia: $7.25
While Kentucky's minimum wage will be the same as the new federal minimum, it takes effect several weeks before the federal increase. In addition, a number of state minimum wages will increase on July 24th (the same day as the federal increase) to $6.55 per hour, which is the same as the federal. These states include Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Utah. This may affect employers if the state minimum wage applies to employees who are not covered by federal law.
There are a few other upcoming increases as well. Effective Sept. 1st, the New Hampshire minimum wage will increase to $7.25, and effective Oct. 1st, the Maine minimum wage will increase to $7.25.