labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Illinois, Nevada and Kentucky implemented minimum wage increases effective today, July 1, 2009.

The Kentucky minimum wage increases today from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour. This change is just 23 days earlier than an identical change in the federal minimum wage.

The Illinois minimum wage increases from $7.75 to $8.00 today. This increase puts the Illinois minimum wage in a four-way tie for the fourth highest minimum wage in the nation.

The Nevada minimum wage increases today from $6.85 per hour to $7.55 per hour, although a number of Nevada employers are exempted.

The highest minimum wage is currently in the state of Washington, with a minimum wage of $8.55 per hour. The Oregon minimum wage is $8.40 per hour, while the minimum wage in Vermont is $8.06 per hour. The minimum wage in California, Connecticut and Massachusetts is at $8.00 per hour – the same as the Illinois minimum wage, effective today.

The minimum wages in Washington, Oregon and Vermont are adjusted for inflation annually on January 1. The minimum wage in California, Connecticut and Massachusetts are not adjusted annually for inflation – they are changed only by statute.

The next Illinois minimum wage change (more…)

The July 24, 2008 federal minimum wage increase affects employers in a number of states. Under the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, the federal minimum wage increased by 70 cents from $5.85 to $6.55 per hour.

This increase affects most employers in states where the state minimum wage is lower than the new federal rate. Under federal law, when an employee is covered by both state and federal law, the employee is entitled to coverage under whichever law provides the greater benefit.

This means that if (more…)

Five states increased their minimum wages effective July 1, 2008. They include: Illinois, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky and Nevada.

In Illinois, the state minimum wage increased 25 cents from $7.50 to $7.75 per hour. This is the second step in a 3-tiered increase. The state minimum wage will increase again in 2009. The law applies to any employer with 4 or more workers who are not family members.  More details here.

Michigan’s minimum wage also increased 25 cents per hour from $7.15 to $7.40.  The state minimum wage has risen nearly $2.00 since 2005, despite sluggish job growth, problems for the automotive industry and the loss of a number of major employers. The law applies to employers with 2 or more workers. More details here.

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Nevada Labor Commissioner Michael Tanchek has announced a change to the state overtime laws. Under the current law, lower-paid employees are entitled to overtime when they work more than 8 hours per day. An employee who worked 13 hours on one day would be entitled to 8 hours at the regular rate, plus 5 hours of overtime at 1.5 times the employee’s usual rate. This is true, even if the employee only works 13 hours in the pay period. Changes to the law on July 1, 2008 mean it will apply to more workers than ever.

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On July 1, 2008 the Nevada minimum wage will increase from $6.33 per hour to $6.85 per hour. The state minimum wage in Illinois, Michigan, West Virginia and Kentucky will increase on that same date.

Nevada’s minimum wage statute is unique in the 50 states because it allows employers who offer a qualified health benefit plan, such as group health insurance, to pay workers less. Currently, Nevada employers offering a qualified health insurance plan can pay workers $5.30 per hour. On July 1, 2008, qualified employers can pay workers $5.85 per hour. (more…)