New Online Tool Highlights The Complexity Of Federal, State And Local Minimum Wage Laws

By Jaime Lizotte, HR Solutions Manager at ComplyRight, Inc.

Keeping track of minimum wage changes can be a challenging task for any business. That’s why ComplyRight has created a comprehensive, easy-to-use interactive map that allows users to track hourly wages with a few clicks of the mouse.

Comparing Minimum Wage Rates is Quick and Easy

The most recent federal minimum wage increase took effect in 2009, bringing the minimum hourly wage for most non-exempt workers to $7.25. Despite calls to increase it as high as $15, the federal minimum wage is unlikely to change any time soon.

According to a recent survey by The Hartford, 66 percent of small businesses support an overall increase in federal minimum wage. And local lawmakers agree. States and cities are enacting their own minimum wage hikes, many which go into effect this year. Examples include:

• Chicago – $11 per hour
• Cook County, IL – $10 per hour
• Flagstaff, AZ – $10.50 per hour
• Los Angeles County – $12 per hour ($10.50 for employers with 25 or less employees)
• Maryland – $9.25 per hour;
• Montgomery County, MD – $11.50 per hour
• Oregon – $10.25 per hour ($10 for rural counties)
• Pasadena, CA – $12 per hour for larger employers ($10.50 for smaller employers)
• Portland, OR – $11.25 per hour for metropolitan area
• San Francisco – $14 per hour
• San Jose – $12 per hour
• Washington, DC – $12.50 per hour

In fact, in the past year alone, minimum wage hikes took effect in approximately 75 states, cities and counties. The Minimum Wage Monitor makes it easy to view and compare rates across the nation. Specifically, business owners can:

• Explore. Select a state to see detailed data about minimum wage regulations in that state.
• Look Back. View the status of minimum wage regulations in previous years.
• Export. Download the data that interests you.

The map includes four years of data from all 50 states plus 40,000 counties and cities and includes current rate increases as well as approved changes that will take effect in the future. Business owners can review approved minimum wage rates that extend into the future and budget accordingly.

Continuous Monitoring of Regulations

The monitor is the brainchild of ComplyRight’s in-house team of attorneys and legal researchers, who spent six months collecting and indexing data from state and local bills to create this online resource. The legal team continually updates the map so the minimum wage data always stays current.

See the changing dynamics of minimum wage legislation for yourself. Click here  here to get started.