Florida raises minimum wage to $15 on September 30
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Florida voters’ decision in 2020 will raise the state’s minimum wage from $14 to $15 on September 30, completing a multiyear plan to increase pay for workers.
In 2020, 60.8% of Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that began raising the minimum wage from a rate of less than $9 in 2019. Employers must directly pay tipped employees $11.98 per hour and can then credit up to $3.02 in tips toward the full $15 minimum.
Jyllian Bradshaw, a labor attorney, stated the scheduled increases have allowed businesses time to prepare for the changes. The increase comes at a time when Floridians are experiencing rising costs for everyday goods and services. The amendment also includes provisions for future increases tied to inflation, and Florida employers will be required to pay whichever is higher, the state or federal minimum wage.
Currently, the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour, less than half of the new Florida standard. Representative Angie Nixon is campaigning for a $25 federal minimum wage, arguing that affordable access to necessities like fresh produce is a major problem for working families. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association expressed concern about the ongoing increase in costs for businesses, including gas, transportation, and food.
