What to Know About the Widespread Minimum Wage Increase

i_frontier/iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — It will be a happier new year in 2015 for millions of workers who will receive a pay raise following a minimum wage increase in 21 states.

For the first time, the majority of states, plus the District of Columbia, will have minimum wage levels higher than the federal minimum of $7.25. Though the increases are slight, they will make a difference for some hourly workers supporting their households.

The increases are up to $1, with an average wage of $8, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Several cities also have scheduled minimum wage increases in 2015, including SeaTac, Washington, where it will be $15.24, and San Francisco, where it will rise to $11.05 on Jan. 1 and $12.25 on May 1.

The increases are through a mix of legislative changes, ballot measures and automatic cost-of-living increases.

A bill backed by President Obama to raise the federal minimum to $10.10 an hour has faced opposition in Congress.

Here are some more facts about the wage increases by state:

The Lowest: Arkansas: Among the 21 states increasing their minimum wage, the lowest minimum will be in Arkansas, where it will rise $1.25 to $7.50 starting Thursday. The rise will affect approximately 56,000 workers, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Largest Rate Rise: Massachusetts: The biggest percentage rate increase will take place in Massachusetts, where the wage is increasing $1 to $9.

Biggest Effect: New York: The Empire State’s increase of 75 cents to $8.75 is projected to affect the most workers by state, according to the National Employment Law Project: 711,000 people. New York is actually increasing its minimum on Wednesday from legislation that passed last year and increases the state’s minimum wage in three steps to $9.00 by Dec. 31, 2015.

Highest Wage: Washington: The Evergreen State will continue to have highest minimum wage when it increases by 15 cents to $9.47.

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