From California to New York, states are raising minimum wages in 2019 for 17 million workers
Janna HerronStarting on New Year’s Eve day, Rosa Rivera will make $15 an hour at her McDonald’s job in Manhattan, doubling what she earned just five years ago at the same location.
The milestone comes after she and fellow workers advocated tirelessly – sometimes going on strike – for a higher minimum wage since 2012 in the city and state.
For Rivera, a 53-year-old Bronx resident who lives with her adult son, that means she no longer needs to prioritize which bills to pay and which to skip to get by.
“Before it was difficult. $7.50 wasn’t enough,” Rivera said through a Spanish interpreter. “The difference with $15 is I will be able to pay my rent and bills on time. I can pay for transportation easily, and I may have a little bit more to save.”
Besides New York, workers in up to 21 other states and the District of Columbia will receive higher minimum wages next year, according to a National Employment Law Project report given exclusively to USA TODAY. About 17 million workers will benefit from the 2019 wage increases, the nonprofit estimates.
More:Based on African principles, Kwanzaa holiday holds lessons for entrepreneurs
More:Bad review? How business owners should address online reviewers' concerns
More:Government shutdown: How small businesses are hurt
The increases are either due to policies designed to help lower-income workers or regularly scheduled cost-of-living adjustments.
“(Cost-of-living adjustments) are small increases, but at least workers won’t be falling behind inflation in the coming years” says Yannet Lathrop, researcher and policy analyst at NELP.
States aren’t the only ones tackling minimum wage increases. Thirty-eight cities and counties also are scheduled to raise their minimum wages, according to the NELP report. Next up is a wage higher than $15 in more expensive states and cities.
USA & MAIN:Based on African principles, Kwanzaa holiday holds lessons for entrepreneurs
USA & MAIN:Holiday cheer hits retail, with strongest seasonal sales in 6 years
USA & MAIN:Jobs: Blue-collar fields revved up hiring this year as white-collar sectors moderated
“In some parts of the country, $15 is not a living wage, so folks need to think about a higher wage,” Lathrop said. “Hawaii is already thinking about a $17 minimum wage bill.”
Here’s where minimum wages are going up in 2019.
Alaska
Current minimum wage: $9.84
2019 minimum wage: $9.89
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
Arizona
Current minimum wage: $10.50
2019 minimum wage: $11
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Third step toward approved $12 minimum wage by 2020
Arkansas
Current minimum wage: $8.50
2019 minimum wage: $9.25
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: First step toward approved $11 minimum wage by 2021
California
Current minimum wage: $11 for large employers; $10.50 for small employers
2019 minimum wage: $12 for large employers; $11 for small employers
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Third step toward approved $15 minimum wage by 2022-23
Colorado
Current minimum wage: $10.20
2019 minimum wage: $11.10
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Third step toward approved $12 minimum wage by 2020
Delaware
Current minimum wage: $8.25
2019 minimum wage: $8.75 and then another to $9.25
Effective date: First increase in January; second increase in October
Reason: First and last step toward approved $9.25 minimum wage by 2019
District of Columbia
Current minimum wage: $13.25
2019 minimum wage: $14
Effective date: July 1, 2019
Reason: Fourth step toward approved $15 minimum wage by 2020
Florida
Current minimum wage: $8.25
2019 minimum wage: $8.46
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
Maine
Current minimum wage: $10
2019 minimum wage: $11
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Third step toward approved $12 minimum wage by 2020
Massachusetts
Current minimum wage: $11
2019 minimum wage: $12
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: First step toward approved $15 minimum wage by 2023
Michigan
Current minimum wage: $9.25
2019 minimum wage: $9.48
Effective date: 90 days after the Michigan legislature adjourns, approximately late March or early April
Reason: First step toward approved $12 minimum wage by 2030
Minnesota
Current minimum wage: $9.65 for large employers; $7.87 for small employers
2019 minimum wage: $9.86 for large employers; $8.04 for small employers
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
Missouri
Current minimum wage: $7.85
2019 minimum wage: $8.60
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: First step toward approved $12 minimum wage by 2023
Montana
Current minimum wage: $8.30
2019 minimum wage: $8.50
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
Nevada
Current minimum wage: $8.25 with no benefits; $7.25 with benefits
2019 minimum wage: The Nevada Labor Commissioner will determine in April whether to increase the state's minimum wage in 2019 based on a formula in the state constitution.
Effective date: July 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
New Jersey
Current minimum wage: $8.60
2019 minimum wage: $8.85
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
New York
Current minimum wage: $13 for large employers in New York City; $12 for small employers in New York City; $11 in Long Island and Westchester County; and $10.40 everywhere else
2019 minimum wage: $15 for large employers in New York City; $13.50 for small employers in New York City; $12 in Long Island and Westchester County; and $11.10 everywhere else
Effective date: Dec. 31, 2018
Reason: Fourth step toward approved $15 minimum wage by 2018-21
Ohio
Current minimum wage: $8.30
2019 minimum wage: $8.55
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
Oregon
Current minimum wage: $12 in Portland; $10.75 standard; and $10.50 in rural areas
2019 minimum wage: $12.50 in Portland; $11.25 standard; and $11 in rural areas
Effective date: July 1, 2019
Reason: Fourth step toward approved increases in minimum wages ($14.75 in Portland, $13.50 standard and $12.50 in rural areas) by 2022
Rhode Island
Current minimum wage: $10.10
2019 minimum wage: $10.50
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Last step toward approved $10.50 minimum wage by 2019
South Dakota
Current minimum wage: $8.85
2019 minimum wage: $9.10
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
Vermont
Current minimum wage: $10.50
2019 minimum wage: $10.78
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Cost-of-living adjustment
Washington
Current minimum wage: $11.50
2019 minimum wage: $12
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2019
Reason: Third step toward approved $13.50 minimum wage by 2020