Minimum Wage Increases for 2023

Alaska

Alaska is one of several jurisdictions that have moved from scheduled rate increases to those based on the applicable Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Its minimum wage, effective Jan. 1, 2023, is:

• $10.85

Alaska does not have a separate rate for tipped employees.

Arizona

Likewise, Arizona has also moved to indexed rate increases. Effective at the start of 2023, the state’s rates are:

• $13.85
• $10.85 (tipped employees)

California

As is almost always the case, California is complex when it comes to employment law.

The state had initially planned for two separate rates for 2023 — for large and small employers.

However, in May 2022, state officials announced that California’s minimum wage is $15.50 for all employers starting Jan. 1, 2023.

The accelerated increase is required through a provision in the law when inflation (under the U.S. CPI) exceeds 7 percent.

California does not have a separate minimum wage rate for tipped employees.

 

Colorado

Colorado is another somewhat unique case in that it allows for a comment period before the rate becomes official.

The state has approved its 2023 minimum wage rates (also increasing based on the CPI):

• $13.65
• $10.63

Meanwhile, the 2023 Denver minimum wage is also set.

Delaware

In Delaware, the state is still on an increase schedule, with its 2023 rate set at:

• $11.75
• $2.23 (tipped employees, remaining the same)

It, too, is another state moving toward a $15 minimum wage.

Illinois

Illinois is also on an increase schedule to eventually bring the state’s rate to $15 an hour.

In 2023, minimum wage in Illinois is:

• $13
• $7.80 (tipped employees)

Massachusetts

Massachusetts hits the $15 minimum wage mark, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

The minimum wage for tipped employees in Massachusetts in 2023 is $6.75.

Massachusetts does not have CPI increases planned after 2023.

Maryland

Maryland has separate rates based on employer size. In 2023, the rates are:

• Small – $12.80
• Large – $13.25 (15 or more employees)

Meanwhile, the 2023 tipped minimum wage in Maryland is $3.63, remaining the same.

Maine

Maine is also seeing indexed increases to its minimum wage rates. In 2023, Maine minimum wage is:

• $13.80
• $6.90 (tipped employees)

Michigan

Michigan’s minimum wage is set to increase to $10.10 an hour Jan. 1, 2023, and $3.84 for tipped employees.

However, employers with locations there should keep an eye out for updates.

The state’s minimum wage law under the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (IWOWA) was originally introduced through a ballot initiative in 2018.

Before voters could weigh in on the measure, the Michigan Legislature voted to approve the ballot initiative. And then subsequently amended the requirements of the law.

As a result, the Michigan voters were prevented from deciding on the original ballot initiative or the amended version passed by the Michigan Legislature.

This decision by the Michigan Legislature was challenged in litigation by the original petitioners of the ballot measure. On July 19, 2022, the Michigan Court of Claims, in Mothering Justice v. Nessel, held that the Michigan Legislature’s actions violated the state constitution.

In February 2023, there could be additional movement regarding minimum wage in Michigan.

Minnesota

In Minnesota, where the state is under indexed increases, there are separate rates for large and small employers. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, the rates are:

• Small – $8.63
• Large – $10.59

If the combined amount of gross revenue is more than $500,000, employers must pay the large Minnesota employer minimum wage rate.

There is no separate rate for tipped employees in Minnesota.

Missouri

Missouri wraps up its scheduled minimum wage increases in 2023, when the rates are:

• $12
• $6 (tipped employees)

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the state will move to indexed increases.

Montana

Montana’s indexed increases are in effect, with 2023 minimum wage moving to:

• $9.95

The state does not have a separate rate for tipped employees.

Nebraska

In Nebraska, voters approved a minimum wage ballot measure in 2022 to that will gradually increase the rate to $15 per hour by 2026.

The first increase is set for Jan. 1, 2023:

• $10.50

However, the tipped rate remains at $2.13.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, the state has made an adjustment to its scheduled rate increases.

Effective Jan. 1, 2023, New Jersey’s minimum wage rates are:

• Small – $12.93 (five or fewer employees)
• Large – $14.13

For tipped employees in 2023, New Jersey’s rates are:

• Small – $2.13 (remains the same)
• Large – $5.26

New Mexico

Effective Jan. 1, 2023, minimum wage rates in New Mexico are:

• $12
• $3 (tipped employees)

New York

While the rest of the states on this list update Jan. 1, New York is unique in that it increases rates Dec. 31 each year.

Effective Dec. 31, 2022, the standard minimum wage rates in New York are:

• $14.20
• $11.85 (tipped service employees)
• $9.45 (tipped food service workers)

(Note that New York City and some counties have their own rates.)

Ohio

Ohio is also on indexed rates, with 2023 minimum wage at:

• $10.10
• $5.05 (tipped employees)

Rhode Island

On the path to a scheduled $15 minimum wage as well, Rhode Island’s rates for 2023 are:

• $13
• $3.89 (tipped employees, remaining the same)

South Dakota

In South Dakota, where indexing is in effect, the Jan. 1, 2023, rates are:

• $10.80
• $5.40

Virginia

Virginia is on scheduled increases, with 2023 rates at:

• $12
• $2.13 (tipped employees, remaining the same)

Vermont

Indexed rates for Vermont begin Jan. 1, 2023, with the state’s minimum wage rates at:

• $13.18
• $6.59

Washington

Washington also has indexing in effect. Minimum wage in 2023 is:

• $15.74

Notably, it surpasses California for the highest state minimum wage rate in 2023.

Washington has no separate rate for tipped employees.

Washington, D.C.

Not a state but worthy of inclusion here, Washington, D.C., has a new rate for tipped employees beginning Jan. 1, 2023:

• $6

Its standard rate remains at $16.10.

(Note that D.C. updated its standard minimum wage in July 2022.)

 

State Minimum Wage Rates: July 1 and Others

While the states listed above update at the start of the year, other states do update at different times of the year, generally July 1.

The states that updated minimum wage rates July 1, 2022, include:

• Connecticut (June in 2023)
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Washington, D.C. (not a state but worth including here)

Meanwhile, state minimum wage rates with increases at other times of the year include:

• Florida (Sept. 30)
• New Mexico (March 1)
• Hawaii (moving to Jan. 1 in 2024)

And employers should always be watchful for new legislation on the minimum wage front.

States at Federal Minimum Wage

Lastly, several states still adhere to the federal minimum wage, which hasn’t increased in more than a decade. They are:

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming