Anyone making minimum wage in Delaware is about to have a little extra change in their pockets come Jan. 1.
In the new year, the state’s minimum wage will be $11.75 an hour, a 12 percent raise from the current rate of $10.50 an hour.
The increase comes as part of Delaware’s push to make the minimum wage $15 an hour by 2025.
When did this happen?
In June of 2021, lawmakers passed a bill that would raise the minimum wage by at least $1 per year until the state rate reached $15 by 2025.
Will there be more increases?
At the beginning of this year, minimum wage in Delaware jumped from $9.25 to $10.50. After the coming increase to $11.75 in 2023, the rate will increase to $13.25 by Jan. 1, 2024, before reaching the $15 mark by Jan 1. 2025.
BACKGROUND:Delaware General Assembly passes $15 minimum wage, sends bill to Gov. John Carney
Who else is raising minimum wage?
Since Jan. 2014, 28 states and D.C. have changed their laws around minimum wage, according to the Economic Policy Institute, which has been tracking these changes nationwide.
The federal government, however, has not raised minumum wage since 2009.
OPINION:A $15 minimum wage will help Delaware businesses succeed
Who isn’t included in these wage increases?
A number of employees are exempt from the minimum wage increases.
These include jobs in agriculture, private homes, the U.S. federal government, and the fishing industry, as well as positions like junior camp counselors and inmates participating in Department of Correction programs, according to the Delaware Department of Labor.
