A State-By-State Minimum Wage Increase HR Need To Be Aware Of For 2022
Key pointers employers should consider
Posted on 01-19-2022, Read Time: Min
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Although the past few years may have brought forth plenty of changes, one thing remained stagnant, and that is the federal minimum wage. The federal minimum wage was last modified on July 24, 2009, when the wage increased from $6.55 to $7.25. Although the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25, states can choose which minimum wage they want to implement for workers.
Note: State minimum wages can vary per city or county, but some states still adhere to the federal standard of $7.25 an hour.
As noted in our previous annual minimum wage article, the DOL explains, “Federal minimum wage law supersedes state minimum wage laws, where the federal minimum wage is greater than the state minimum wage. In those states where the state minimum wage is greater than the federal minimum wage, the state minimum wage prevails.” As a result, if a state, city, or county establishes a minimum wage higher than the federal amount, employers must pay that higher rate to employees.
With the above in mind, here are some highlights from 2021, as well as projected state-by-state minimum wage increases to be aware of for 2022.
Highlights from 2021
According to our previous article, 2021 minimum wage increases became effective Jan. 1, 2021, for 21 states with additional states implementing increases later in the year.
As of Sept. 30, 2021, The Department of Labor (DOL) shows 16 states with the federal standard of $7.25 an hour. Those states are the following:
As of Sept. 30, 2021, The Department of Labor (DOL) shows 16 states with the federal standard of $7.25 an hour. Those states are the following:
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- New Hampshire
- Ohio (A higher minimum wage (increasing from $8.80 to $9.30 in 2022) applies to non-tipped employees for employers with annual gross receipts of $323,000 or more.)
- Oklahoma (adheres to the federal minimum standard of $7.25 for “Employers of ten or more full time employees at any one location and employers with annual gross sales over $100,000 irrespective of number of full time employees”)
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Utah
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
The DOL shows five states that do not have a minimum wage requirement as of Sept. 30, 2021. Those states are the following:
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
For a full list of states, monitor the DOL’s site for updated information throughout the year.
For states that do not have a state minimum wage law, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers must adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25.
As explained by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), “States increase their minimum wages for a few different reasons. Some are based on the cost of living, while others are based on previously approved legislation or ballot initiatives.”
For states that do not have a state minimum wage law, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers must adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25.
As explained by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), “States increase their minimum wages for a few different reasons. Some are based on the cost of living, while others are based on previously approved legislation or ballot initiatives.”
What’s to Come in 2022
Minimum wage increases are projected to become effective Jan. 1, 2022, for 23 states, with some state minimum wage increases potentially becoming effective later this year.
Note: Ohio adheres to the federal standard of $7.25 for employers with annual gross receipts less than $342,000 in 2022. Additionally, Florida’s increased minimum wage becomes effective September 30, 2022, and Nevada, Oregon and Connecticut’s increased minimum wage laws become effective July 1, 2022.
The 25 states expected to increase in 2022 can be seen in the following chart showing side by side anticipated increases from 2021 to 2022:
Note: Ohio adheres to the federal standard of $7.25 for employers with annual gross receipts less than $342,000 in 2022. Additionally, Florida’s increased minimum wage becomes effective September 30, 2022, and Nevada, Oregon and Connecticut’s increased minimum wage laws become effective July 1, 2022.
The 25 states expected to increase in 2022 can be seen in the following chart showing side by side anticipated increases from 2021 to 2022:
*The following states’ increase rate have special circumstances as follows:
California
The increased rate of $15.00 per hour will be applied to employers with 26 or more employees. Businesses in California will have a minimum wage of $14.00 an hour for 25 or fewer employees.
Maryland
The increased rate of $12.50 per hour will be applied to employers with 15 or more employees. Businesses in Maryland will have a minimum wage of $12.20 an hour for employers with 14 or fewer employees in 2022.
Minnesota
The increased rate applies to large businesses. There will be a minimum wage of $8.42 an hour for small employers. There will also be $8.42 an hour for the 90-day learning pay (for employees under 20 years of age) and youth salary (for employees under 18 years of age).
Nevada
Nevada’s minimum wage law takes into consideration whether an employer offers qualified benefits to employees.
- As of July 2021:
- The minimum wage is $8.75 if an employer offers health benefits to the employee.
- The minimum wage is $9.75 if an employer does not offer health benefits to the employee.
- Beginning July 1, 2022:
- The minimum wage is increasing to $9.50 if an employer offers health benefits to the employee.
- The minimum wage is increasing to $10.50 if an employer does not offer health benefits to the employee.
New York
The increased rate applies to most employers in New York State. New York City's minimum wage may differ for Long Island and Westchester.
Additional Minimum Wage Information for 2022
As mentioned earlier in this article, as of Sept. 30, 2021, five states (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee) do not have a minimum wage requirement, and therefore, adhere to the federal standard.
Be sure to check your state’s Department of Labor for rates specific to your location, as well as minimum wages for tipped employees.
This article first appeared here.
Be sure to check your state’s Department of Labor for rates specific to your location, as well as minimum wages for tipped employees.
This article first appeared here.
Author Bio
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Lauren Burke is Manager, Content & Communications at PrimePay. Visit PrimePay Connect Lauren Burke |
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