Florida’s minimum wage, which is already higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, will receive a new increase in September 2024. Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25, but states like Florida have implemented progressive increases. This September, the minimum wage in the Sunshine State will rise from $12 to $13 an hour, with a wage of $9.98 an hour for tipped workers.
This increase is part of a phased plan approved by Florida voters in November 2020, when Amendment 2 to the state Constitution was ratified. This amendment establishes an annual increase in the minimum wage until it reaches $15 an hour on September 30, 2026.
Since then, it has been increasing by one dollar per year, and this pattern will continue until the established goal is reached.
Future minimum wage increases in Florida
Starting in 2025, the minimum wage is expected to rise to $14 an hour, while white-collar workers will earn $10.98 an hour. By 2026, the minimum wage will reach $15 an hour, and $11.98 for those who rely on tips.
Additionally, the amendment states that once the $15 an hour threshold is reached, future increases will be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which ‘ to ensure that salaries maintain their value against inflation.
This adjustment system will start in 2028, ensuring that the increase in the cost of living will not affect the purchasing power of workers.
The importance of complying with Florida’s minimum wage
Employers in Florida must pay the state minimum wage to all employees for hours worked.
Workers who are not receiving adequate wages have the right to file a civil lawsuit against their employers, as established by the state’s minimum wage law.
This gradual increase in Florida’s minimum wage is aimed at improving the standard of living of the state’s workers, protecting their income against inflation and ensuring sustainable purchasing power.
Besides Florida, more than 30 states in the United States have minimum wages higher than the federal minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 an hour for 15 years.
