The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity recently announced Florida’s 2017 minimum wage rate. Effective January 1, 2017, the minimum wage for workers state-wide will increase by five cents, bringing the rate up to $8.10 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.08 per hour for tipped employees.
Like several other states, Florida’s minimum wage is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks prices on common goods and services purchased by the average urban consumer, including basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. Between September 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015, the CPI increased by 0.7 percent, leading to the equitable increase in the Florida minimum wage. However, even if the CPI goes down for a given year, Florida’s state minimum wage will never decrease.
Although Florida’s minimum wage remains higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, some Florida labor activists still find it to be too low. Support in the state is rising for the “Fight for 15,” with one recent survey reporting that 51% of Floridians would prefer to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. It remains controversial, however, within the business community and amongst lawmakers, and thus far no bill to raise the minimum wage at a rate above the rate of inflation, as required by 2004 constitutional amendment, has received a hearing.
We’ll keep you updated as the minimum wage debate rages on, but in the meantime you can pre-order your 2017 Florida Minimum Wage Peel ‘N Post™ here to remain compliant with Florida law for the year ahead. All-On-One Posters™ will be updated soon.