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Minimum Wage to Increase in 21 States, 35 Localities in 2022

The job market is hot, and service industry workers in in demand, so they’re often able to demand a higher pay for their work. In addition to that trend, many states and cities are increasing the minimum wage for workers in Jan. 1, 2022.

Twenty-one states and 35 cities and counties are scheduled to increase their minimum wage rage on or around New Year’s Day, according to a report from the National Employment Law Project (NELP) provided to USA Today.

Some of those states include Illinois, where base hourly pay will go up from $11 to $12; Delaware, where minimum wage pay will increase from $9.25 to $10.50 per hour; Virginia, with an increase of $9.50 to $11; New Jersey, with an increase from $12 to $13 for most workers; and New Mexico, with an increase from $10.50 to $11.50.

While most of the minimum wage increases will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, some will take place later this year. In total, 25 states and 56 localities will implement pay increases in 2022, according to NELP.

Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour has been a hot topic in Washington lately. California will implement the $15 an hour minimum hourly pay rate starting on Jan. 1 for large employers. New York state already has a $15 minimum in New York City and for fast-food workers across the state, and they’ll include Long Island and Westchester County starting on Jan. 1.

Other localities hitting $15 an hour or higher on Jan. 1 include Denver, which is going from $14.77 to $15.87, as well as California’s San Diego, Oakland and West Hollywood. Some cities that are already at $15 an hour will see their minimum wage go up even higher in the New Year, to boot, including Seattle ($17.27) and California’s Mountain View and Sunnyvale both reach ($17.10).

Some companies recently raised their pay rate to a minimum of $15 an hour or more, including Costco, Best Buy, Wayfair, Hobby Lobby, The Container Store and Southwest Airlines.

The Federal minimum wage is another story. It’s been steady at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Senate Republicans continue to block attempts to increase it. For more information on the minimum wage changes in 2022, go here.

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