While the federal minimum wage is set to remain at $7.25 per hour, several states will increase their minimum wage at some point during 2018. In addition, federal contractors will be required to pay their employees $10.35 per hour. Further, many municipalities require a higher minimum wage so it is important to check with your local government to determine if your company must comply with a higher wage requirement. A summary of each states minimum wage and any changes follows:
| State | Current Rate | New Rate | Effective Date | Future Increases |
| Alabama | $7.25 | same | ||
| Alaska | $9.80 | $9.84 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Arizona | $10.00 | $10.50 | Jan. 1, 2018 | $11.00 in 2019 |
| Arkansas | $8.50 | same | ||
| California | $10.50 | $11.00[1] | Jan. 1, 2018 | $12.00 in 2019 |
| Colorado | $9.30 | $10.20 | Jan. 1, 2018 | $11.10 in 2019 |
| Connecticut | $10.10 | same | ||
| Delaware | $8.25 | same | ||
| Florida | $8.10 | $8.25 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Georgia | $7.25 | same | ||
| Hawaii | $9.25 | $10.10 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Idaho | $7.25 | same | ||
| Illinois | $8.25 | same | ||
| Indiana | $7.25 | same | ||
| Iowa | $7.25 | same | ||
| Kansas | $7.25 | same | ||
| Kentucky | $7.25 | same | ||
| Louisiana | $7.25 | same | ||
| Maine | $9.00 | $10.00 | Jan. 1, 2018 | $11.00 in 2019 |
| Maryland | $9.25 | $10.10 | July 1, 2018 | |
| Massachusetts | $11.00 | same | ||
| Michigan | $8.90 | $9.25 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Minnesota | $9.50 | $9.65[2] | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Mississippi | $7.25 | same | ||
| Missouri | $7.70 | $7.85 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Montana | $8.15 | $8.30 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Nebraska | $9.00 | same | ||
| Nevada | $8.25 | same | ||
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | same | ||
| New Jersey | $8.44 | $8.60 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| New Mexico | $7.50 | same | ||
| New York | $9.70 | $10.40[3] | Dec. 31, 2017 | $11.10 in 2019 |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | same | ||
| North Dakota | $7.25 | same | ||
| Ohio | $8.15 | $8.30 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | same | ||
| Oregon | $10.25 | $10.75[4] | July 1, 2018 | $11.25 in 2019 |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | same | ||
| Rhode Island | $9.60 | $10.10 | Jan. 1, 2018 | $10.50 in 2019 |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | same | ||
| South Dakota | $8.65 | $8.85 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | same | ||
| Texas | $7.25 | same | ||
| Utah | $7.25 | same | ||
| Vermont | $10.00 | $10.50 | Jan. 1, 2018 | |
| Virginia | $7.25 | same | ||
| Washington | $11.00 | $11.50 | Jan. 1, 2018 | $12.00 in 2019 |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | same | ||
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | same | ||
| Wyoming | $7.25 | same |
The St. Louis employment attorneys at McMahon Berger have been representing employers across the country in labor and employment matters for over sixty years, and are available to discuss these issues and others. As always, the foregoing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice regarding any particular situation as every situation must be evaluated on its own facts. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.
[1] For employers with 26 or more employees. Smaller employers will have to pay at least $10.50 per hour.
[2] For employers with annual gross revenues of at least $500,000. Smaller employers will pay at least $7.87 per hour.
[3] The actual wage paid varies based on the geographical location of the employee within the state.
[4] Employers in metropolitan Portland must pay $11.25 per hour and those in nonurban counties must pay $10.00.
