Ten States Increased their Minimum Wage on January 1st, 2013

The following states increased the minimum wage above the federal minimum wage (FMW = $7.25) on January 1st, 2013.  Only Vermont, Oregon, and Washington State offer minimum wages that are significantly  (20% or above) above the federal minimum wage.  The rest are withing 8% or less of the FMW.

You can only hope states are setting the stage for future increases. It is good to see some traditionally conservative states like Arizona, Florida and Montana raising the wage.


Vermont          $8.46 to $8.60
Rhode Island   $7.40 to $7.75
Arizona           $7.65 to $7.80
Colorado         $7.64 to $7.78
Ohio                $7.60 to $7.85
Oregon            $8.80 to $8.95
Washington      $9.04 to $9.19
Montana          $7.65 to $7.80
Florida             $7.67 to $7.79
Missouri           $7.25 to $7.35

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25.

Vermont's minimum wage is indexed to inflation and the cost of living.

Washington State has the highest minimum wage at $9.19 per hour. It is indexed to inflation.  It was created by a voter initiative 688 approved in 1988.