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The overwhelming majority of Alabama employers were affected by the federal minimum wage increase in July, 2009.

Although there is no Alabama minimum wage, most employers in the state are covered by the federal minimum wage.

On July 24, 2009 the federal minimum wage increased by 70 cents from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour.

This is not the first increase for Alabama employers. The federal minimum wage increased from $5.15 to $5.85 per hour in 2007 and from $5.85 to $6.55 in 2008.

At present, the federal minimum wage in not scheduled to increase again in 2010. This could be good new for employers which are facing hard times in the current struggling economy.

Alabama is one of five states that have no minimum wage at the state level. Others include Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina and Tennessee.

In addition, effective July 24, 2009 there are 8 states that have a minimum wage lower than the federal rate. They are Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Alaska and Delaware.

In just two years, Alaska has gone from having one of the highest state minimum wages to having one of the lowest rates.

Seventeen other states increased the state minimum wage to match the federal minimum wage increase on July 24, 2009. They are: Florida, Missouri, Montana, (more…)

The federal minimum wage increased by 70 cents from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009.

Employers should update their federal minimum wage poster. Under the law, an employer who fails to prominently display an updated poster where all employees may see it, can be subject to fines.

This increase affects employers differently, depending upon which state the employer is in. By law, when an employee is covered by both the state and federal minimum wage, the employee is entitled to the higher minimum wage.

For example, while the new federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, (more…)

Employers in the Garden State need to be aware that on July 24, 2009 the New Jersey minimum wage will increase by 10 cents, from $7.15 to $7.25 per hour.

Many employers question the timing of this change in the midst of the worst recession in 60 years. However, under state statute, the New Jersey minimum wage cannot be lower than the federal minimum wage.

The New Jersey minimum wage law covers smaller employers in the state. Under state law, the New Jersey minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, which increases from $6.55 to $7.25 on July 24, 2009, a raise of 70 cents per hour.

On that same date, the New Jersey state minimum wage will increase to $7.25 per hour, too. Employers across the state must update their state and federal minimum wage posters before that date.

At present, there is no federal minimum wage increase scheduled for 2010. The Division of Wage and Hour Compliance of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development enforces the state minimum wage laws.

New Jersey employers not covered by the state minimum wage (more…)

Effective January 1, 2009, the Florida minimum wage will increase 42 cents from $6.79 to $7.21 per hour.

The increase, announced on October 15, 2008 by the state Agency for Workforce Innovation, is based on the cost of living in the Sunshine State.

Many Florida employers will also be affected by the federal minimum wage increase to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009.

The 2009 Florida minimum wage applies to (more…)