Minimum wage increases in 25 states in 2022


Ballotpedia recently published our annual analysis of statewide minimum wage increases in the coming year. In 2022, the minimum wage will increase in 25 states and Washington, D.C. The increases ranged from $0.22 in Michigan to $1.50 in Virginia. Twenty increases took effect on Jan. 1. Four take effect on July 1. One takes effect on Sept. 30. The minimum wage in New York increased on Dec. 31, 2021.

Here are highlights from the year:

  • The largest minimum wage increases based on state laws are $1.50 in Virginia ($9.50 to $11) and $1.25 in Delaware ($9.25 to $10.5).
  • Five states will increase their minimum wage rates by $1 per hour in 2022: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, and New Mexico.
  • Nine states have passed laws or ballot measures increasing their statewide minimum wage rates incrementally to $15 per hour. California is the first of those states to reach $15 per hour in 2022.
  • Nine states and D.C. will increase their minimum wage rates because the rates are tied to inflation, while 16 states have specific increases scheduled as part of an incremental increase to a target rate.
  • Out of the nine states with minimum wages indexed to changes in cost-of-living or inflation, eight have minimum wage laws passed through ballot initiatives, and one has a minimum wage law passed by the legislature.
  • The average increase based on inflation in 2022 is $0.51 per hour. In 2021, the average increase based on inflation was $0.16 per hour.
  • The largest inflation-based increases were in $0.80 in Washington and $0.65 in Arizona. In 2021, the inflation-based increases were $0.19 for Washington and $0.15 for Arizona.
  • Two state legislatures passed minimum wage increase legislation in 2021: Rhode Island and Delaware. Both laws were designed to increase minimum wage rates to $15 per hour by 2025.
  • New York and Oregon divide the states into different regions with different minimum wage rates.