Federal minimum wage increases to $7.25 per hour! Effective July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage increases to $7.25 per hour. This change reflects the third and final federal minimum wage increase as amended under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The U.S. Department of Labor reminds employers and employees that the federal minimum wage will increase to $7.25 on Friday, July 24. With this change, employees who are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will be entitled to pay no less than $7.25 per hour.
At this time, many minimum wage state laws will also change. In cases where an employee is subject to both state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the greater of the two wages. As it stands, there are 31 states that will be affected by this minimum wage increase. The states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
View updated minimum wage rates by state
“This administration is committed to improving the lives of working families across the nation, and the increase in the minimum wage is another important step in the right direction,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “This well-deserved increase will help workers better provide for their families in the face of today’s economic challenges. I am especially pleased that the change will benefit working women, who make up two-thirds of minimum wage earners.”
Many workers will be affected by the minimum wage increase. For part-time workers, the increase provides a silver-lining, as employers choose to promote more from within. Low-skilled, and youth workers also stand to gain, under the assumption they are currently employed. However, for unemployed teen workers, job prospects look grim. In June 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor reported a 24% teen unemployment rate, further adding to the up-hill battle teens face when seeking employment.
In order for business owners and employers to easily comply with new law requirements, The LaborLawCenter™ provides updated posters reflecting the July 2009 minimum wage update. Visit our Federal Labor Law poster, or Complete Labor Law poster product pages to order poster replacements for your workplace. Customers that are protected under our Compliance Protection Plan™ will automatically receive mandatory poster updates. For more information on this program, and to learn how you can receive worry-free compliance in 1, 2, or 3-year increments, visit our Compliance Protection Plan™ page.
