Florida Minimum Wage Rate Increases

On January 1, 2015 the Florida Minimum Wage increased from $7.93/hr.  to $8.05/hr. for non-tipped employees and from $4.91/hr. to $5.03/hr. for tipped employees who earn at least $3.02/hr. in tips. The increase will benefit approximately 364,000 low wage workers in the state by adding an additional $300 per year to their $16,500 annual wages.

Florida is joined by 19 states — Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia — that will raise their minimum wage on New Year's Day, and New York — which will do the same Wednesday — boosting wages for a total of 3.2 million workers.

For voters in Florida it is important to know that the increase was NOT the result of legislation or laws passed by representatives in Tallahassee; it was the sheer will of the people. In 2004, by an overwhelming majority, the voters passed the Florida Minimum Wage Amendment (Art. X Sec. 24) which mandates a yearly increase in order to keep the minimum wage on track with inflation.

The Law Office of Lowell J. Kuvin, LLC represents employees in the hospitality industry and other Florida industries in minimum wage claims against employers. Call and speak with an attorney for free.