Minimum wage to increase in Florida in September: What will the new amount be?

The year 2024 marks 15 years since the last increase in the minimum wage at the federal level in the United States. In 2009, the rate of $7.25 per hour came into effect, and it has remained in place to date. However, in some states, including Florida, higher hourly wages have been established.

Some states have legislation that establishes automatic annual increases, while others link their increases to inflation so as not to diminish the purchasing power of their workers.

Certain states apply their increases at the beginning of each year, while others do so in July. In the case of Florida, the hikes take effect in September.

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The new minimum wage in Florida starting in September

On November 3, 2020, Florida voters approved a state constitutional amendment to increase the state’s minimum wage annually until it reaches $15 per hour on September 30, 2026.

Thanks to citizens voting in favor of the Amendment 2 proposal which was approved by the state legislature, there will be a gradual increase in the minimum wage, including one for 2024.

Starting September 30 this year, the standard minimum wage in Florida will rise from $12 to $13 per hour and to $9.98 for tipped employees.

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Future increases to the minimum wage in Florida

By 2025, the benchmark wage will increase to $14 per hour and $10.98 for tipped employees, and in 2026, the minimum wage will rise to $15 and $11.98 for tipped employees.

Although the amendment only establishes increases of one dollar until reaching $15 per hour in 2026, it also notes that subsequent hikes will be based on changes in the Consumer Price Index so as not to affect the purchasing power of employees.

The measure states that the $15 per hour wage will be in effect until December 31, 2027. Indexed increases based on inflation will begin in 2028.

In addition to Florida, the following states, plus the District of Columbia, have higher minimum wages than the federal rate of $7.25. In the rest of the states, the minimum wage remains at $7.25.