labor lawAdivision of labor law center

By law, the District of Columbia minimum wage must be at least $1.00 more than the federal minimum wage. On July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage will increase from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour.

When the federal minimum increases, the minimum in several states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, North Dakota and Virginia will increase, too. These states tie their minimum wage laws to the federal minimum wage. The District of Columbia will see an increase in its minimum wage, too. While Texas, Utah, etc. match the federal minimum.

That means that in July 2009, the D.C. minimum wage will jump to $8.25 per hour.

Business owners in Washington, D. C. are not happy with this increase. They feel it puts them at a disadvantage with competitors in neighboring Virginia and Maryland. Both of these states adjust their minimum wage to the level of the federal minimum, so will pay $7.25 per hour as compared to $8.25 per hour in D. C.

Despite these objections, Mayor Anthony A. Williams signed (more…)