Twenty-One States Minimum Wage Increases
- Ishaan Satija
- Jan 1
- 1 min read
Intro
The new year brings raises for millions of low wage workers across the country. On January 1 2025, minimum wages increase in twenty one states all at once.
What Changed
These combined state increases affect an estimated 9.2 million workers and add about 5.7 billion dollars in pay. Washington State leads the pack with a minimum wage of 16.66 dollars per hour, one of the highest in the nation. Workers in those states see more money in each paycheck without waiting for federal action. Multi state employers now manage a more complex map of wage floors when deciding where to hire and expand.
What to Watch Next
Watch whether more states follow with increases in 2026 and 2027 and whether the pressure grows for a higher federal minimum. Also watch how small businesses in high wage states adapt in the first year of these new rates.
