In July, hundreds of thousands of workers in various cities and states will experience wage increases as minimum wage hikes take effect. According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), over 800,000 workers in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., will be directly impacted by these changes, alongside numerous cities and counties that will raise their minimum pay rates. Currently, the federal minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25 per hour, a rate that has stood still since 2009.
As living costs have gradually increased, several states and municipalities have opted to raise their minimum wages through legislation and ballot measures. EPI’s state economic analyst, Sebastian Martinez Hickey, noted that these increases aim to better support workers and their families. Full-time workers in Alaska could see an average annual pay increase of about $925, while those in Oregon might experience an increase of approximately $420.
Women make up about 58% of those benefiting from these wage hikes, with Black and Hispanic workers also likely to gain significantly, highlighting ongoing disparities in wage growth. Although the federal minimum wage has not changed in 16 years, there have been ongoing discussions, such as legislation proposed by Senator Josh Hawley to raise it to $15 per hour. Specific minimum wage increases include Alaska’s new rate of $13.00 an hour, raised by $1.09 due to a voter-approved ballot measure.
In Washington, D.C., the new minimum will be $17.95 an hour, reflecting a 45-cent increase. Meanwhile, Oregon’s minimum wage will rise to $15.05 an hour, following a 35-cent adjustment. Additional wage increases will occur in 12 cities and counties across California, Illinois, and Maryland, with various adjustments that range from 40 to 54 cents per hour.