21 States Raise Minimum Wages, Benefiting Over 9 Million Workers

New wage increases, effective January 1, 2025, aim to address inflation and economic inequality but highlight disparities in federal and state policies.

Over 9.2 million workers in 21 states will see a collective annual pay increase of $5.7 billion due to minimum wage hikes implemented on January 1, 2025.
States like Delaware, California, and New Jersey enacted significant increases, with Delaware raising its minimum wage by $1.75 to $15 per hour, boosting annual earnings for full-time workers by $1,200 on average.
Research shows these increases disproportionately benefit women, Black, and Hispanic workers, many of whom live in poverty or support families on low incomes.
The federal minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25 per hour since 2009, with 20 states still adhering to this level or lacking any minimum wage laws entirely.
Studies indicate that higher minimum wages have minimal negative impacts on employment or business operations, challenging long-standing economic concerns about wage increases.