With the passage of two ballot measures in the November general election, the tally is complete: a total of 20 states will increase the minimum wage in 2019. The minimum wage for federal contractors is also scheduled to rise.
On January 1, 2019, employers in these states are required to pay employees at least the new minimum wage and inform employees of minimum wage rate currently in effect. In many states, employers are required to post a 2019 minimum wage poster in the workplace to ensure employees are aware of their rights under the law.
January 2019 Minimum Wage Increases: By State and Category
Minimum wage increases can generally be separated into two categories: scheduled or inflation-based. States that want the minimum wage to hit a specific target (such as $15 or $12 per hour) will usually write a schedule into the law which gradually increases the minimum wage each year until the goal is met. More than half of the states that will see a minimum wage hike on January 1 are following a legislatively-determined schedule.
Many states choose to adjust their minimum wage for inflation after a series of scheduled increases. Inflation-based minimum wage models ensure that the purchasing power of workers remains stable even when the cost of living goes up. Generally speaking, an inflation-based minimum wage results in smaller but also more variable increases than a scheduled minimum wage. However, if prices remain relatively stable during the time measured, the minimum wage will not increase at all.
Use the table below to see which minimum wage model your state is operating under and find out the general rate which will come into effect on January 1, 2019. In the case of scheduled minimum wage increases, you can see the end-point of the schedule, as well as whether the minimum wage comes to a halt or switches to an inflation-based model once the goal has been reached.
The table will also let you know if a 2019 minimum wage poster update is required for your state, or if other poster updates are needed. If you order a 2019 minimum wage poster update from CPC, your order will ship either on December 1 or as soon as the poster is available to print.
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*Additional poster updates also required – learn more here! |
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Update!: California has additional mandatory changes to the Workplace Discrimination posting and the Sexual Harassment pamphlet; see here for details. |
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*Additional poster updates also required – learn more here! |
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Update!: The Michigan legislature has chosen to delay the effective date of the minimum wage increase to April 1, 2018. |
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Federal Contractor Minimum Wage
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*Additional poster updates also required – check back soon for more details! |
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The table above only offers the general (non-tipped) minimum wage rate. Some states allow employers of employees who customarily receive tips to pay a smaller direct cash wage and make up the rest of the minimum wage with a “tip credit.” Please contact us if you have a question about the tipped minimum wage for your state.
Employers in some locations are also required to comply with local minimum wage laws. Check our blog on city and county minimum wage updates for January 1, 2019 to see if there is a local minimum wage update for your location.
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Please keep in mind that CPC cannot provide legal advice. If you have a question about how labor law applies to your specific workplace situation, please consult your local labor department or an employment lawyer.