Early 2020 State Minimum Wage Updates

What are the early 2020 state minimum wage updates?

With the federal rate unchanged since 2009, many states have taken it upon themselves to increase minimum wage. More than 20 states will see updated rates as the calendar turns to 2020.

The following state changes will go into effect either Dec. 31 or Jan. 1, 2020. (Note: This information does not take into account city and county minimum wage rates, which may take precedence depending on the jurisdiction.)

Related: Guide – Dec. 31, 2019, and Jan. 1, 2020, County and City Minimum Wage Updates

Alaska

In Alaska, state law requires a minimum wage adjustment each year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). State officials have announced the new rate for next year:

• $10.19

There is no separate rate for employees who receive tips in Alaska.

Arizona

Following the results of a 2016 ballot initiative, Proposition 206, Arizona’s next increase is scheduled. Next year, the new rates will be:

• $12
• $9 for tipped employees

Arkansas

In 2018, Arkansas  voters passed Issue 5 to increase the state minimum wage, with the 2020 rate going to $10. However, the tipped wage will remain the same, $2.63.

California

California is somewhat unique in that it has different rates for small and large employers. Small is defined as having 25 employees or fewer; large means 26 or more.

One of the most progressive states in the nation, California will have a $15 minimum wage in 2022.

The new 2020 rates are:

• $12 for small employers
• $13 for large employers

California does not have a different rate for tipped employees.

Colorado

Another progressive state when it comes to employment law, Colorado will institute one of the largest year-over-year increases for tipped employees (90 cents). Come 2020, the new rates will be:

• $12
• $8.98 for tipped workers

(Also of note for employers: Colorado recently gave cities the power to set their own rates.)

Florida

Effective Jan. 1, 2019, Florida tied its minimum wage to an annual indexed rate. Starting in 2020, the new rates will be:

• $8.56
• $5.54 for employees who receive tips

Illinois

In February 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law the first minimum wage increase in Illinois since 2010. It will reach $15 in 2025.

Meanwhile, starting Jan. 1, 2020, the minimum wage will be $9.25.

The tipped minimum wage for next year will be $5.55.

Maine

Maine has a planned increase for its minimum wage:

• $12
• $6 for tipped employees

Maryland

Maryland is another state planning no increase for tipped employees in 2020. Minimum wage for other workers will increase by 90 cents to $11 an hour.

Note that starting in January 2021 the state will have different rates for large and small employers. (Large being 15 or more workers and small defined as 14 or fewer.)

Massachusetts

In 2018, Massachusetts passed legislation to increase minimum wage to $15 by 2023. In the meantime, the new rates for 2020 will be:

• $12.75
• $4.95 for tipped employees

Michigan

Michigan will increase its minimum wage for both tipped and non-tipped workers, but only slightly. The 2020 rates will be:

• $9.65
• $3.67 for tipped workers

Minnesota

Minnesota is another state with different rates for large and small employers.

But the definition of large or small isn’t tied to the number of employees. Instead, Minnesota uses gross receipts — more than $500,000 is considered large, less than $500,000 is considered small. (The state has no separate rate for employees who receive tips.)

New rates in 2020:

• $10 for large employers
• $8.15 for small employers

Missouri

Last year, Missouri voters passed Proposition B: $12 Minimum Wage Initiative. While the rate won’t hit $12 until 2023, annual increases of 85 cents are in place.

In 2020, meanwhile, the rates will increase to:

• $9.45
• $4.73 for tipped employees

After 2023, the rate will be increased according to the CPI.

Montana

Montana minimum wage workers will see a small increase next year, with the rate going to $8.65.

The rate is tied to changes in the CPI for Urban Consumers. However, Montana does not allow tip credits, meaning employees who receive tips must still be paid the regular minimum wage rate.

Related: Latest Mandatory Minimum Wage Posting Updates

New Jersey

In New Jersey, the state earlier this year enacted minimum wage legislation, which resulted in increases in July.

Moving forward, the rate will increase based on the CPI or at least $1, whichever is greater. (The rate will hit $15 for most employers in 2024.)

Also note that rates differ depending on employer type. In 2020, the minimum wage will be:

• $11 for most employers
• $10.30 for seasonal and small employers (fewer than six workers)
• $10.30 for agricultural employers

The rate for tipped employees will move to $3.13.

New Mexico

New Mexico was another state that passed a new minimum wage law in 2019. The initial increase is a big one, too, up $1.50 from the current rate.

In 2020, minimum wage will be:

• $9
• $2.35 for tipped workers

The rate will top out at $12 (with a $3 an hour minimum wage for employees who receive tips) in 2023.

New York

In New York State, the 2020 the rate is going up to $11.80.

However, the state does have layers of complexity when it comes to tipped wages. New York State law allows for wage orders that will create various industry-specific changes.

Ohio

Like Minnesota, minimum wage in Ohio is tied to a company’s gross receipts, with $319,000 as the threshold defining a “large” employer.

Come 2020, the new rates will be:

• $8.70 for large employers
• $7.25 for small employers (the federal rate)
• $4.35 for tipped workers

South Dakota

In South Dakota, the minimum wage is adjusted annually via the CPI (though the rate can’t be decreased). In 2020, the new rates will be:

• $9.30
• $4.65 for tipped employees

Vermont

Vermont began indexed increases in 2019. Minimum wage workers will see modest bumps in 2020:

• $10.96
• $5.48 for tipped workers

Washington

Lastly, we have Washington State, which passed a minimum wage ballot initiative in 2016. The new rate in 2020 will be $13.50.

There is no separate rate for employees who receive tips.

The state minimum wage rate updates discussed in this blog do not include county and city minimum wage rates. Also, this blog only covers December 2019 and January 2020 updates for states only.

This Labor Law News Blog is intended for market awareness only, it is not to be used for legal advice or counsel.