Jul 23, 2009 Wage & Hour Issues

Federal Minimum Wage Increases on July 24, 2009

On July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage will increase by 70 cents to $7.25 per hour, up from the prior minimum of $6.55 per hour.  This is the third and final increase provided for in the “Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007,” passed in May 2007, as reported on this website.  See Federal Minimum Wage to Increase to $5.85 Per Hour.  In both New York and New Jersey, the minimum wage rate, which is currently $7.15 per hour, will also increase to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009, to reflect the increase in the federal minimum wage.  Many states maintain minimum wage rates higher than the federal minimum, including California, where the minimum wage is currently $8.00 per hour.  In Connecticut, the minimum wage is also currently $8.00 per hour and will increase to $8.25 per hour on January 1, 2010.  As always, employers will have to comply with whichever rate, state or federal, is higher.