Minimum Wage Increases in Cities, 3 States Starting July 1

Minimum wage workers in more than a dozen U.S. cities and three states are getting a raise starting July 1, as new laws and scheduled wage increases go into effect.

According to the National Employment Law Project, “nearly two dozen states, cities and local municipalities will see some form of a minimum wage hike” kick in as the second half of the year begins. Earlier, on January 1, 21 states and 48 cities raised wages, and by the end of 2025, a total of 88 jurisdictions across 23 states will have enacted increases.

Some of the raises are industry-specific or part of gradual increases set by previous legislation. For instance, in California, health care workers will see new sector-specific minimums. In Alaska, the minimum wage will continue to rise until reaching $15 per hour by 2027.

A report from the Economic Policy Institute estimates that more than 880,000 workers in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. will benefit from the new wage floors taking effect this July.

Here’s where the July 1 increases are happening

Statewide Changes

• Alaska: The hourly wage will rise from $11.73 to $13, as part of a multi-year plan.
• California: Health sector workers could see increases up to $24 per hour, depending on their facility type.
• Oregon: Wages will range from $14.05 in non-urban areas to $16.30 in Portland, with $15.05 in other regions.
• Washington, D.C.: Workers will earn $17.95 per hour, up from $17.50.

City and County Increases (California)

• Alameda: $17.46 (up from $17)
• Berkeley: $19.18 (up from $18.67)
• Emeryville: $19.90 (up from $19.36)
• Fremont: $17.75 (up from $17.30)
• Los Angeles: $17.87 (up from $17.28); hotel workers get $22.50 (up from $20.32)
• LA County (Unincorporated): $17.81 (up from $17.27)
• Milpitas: $18.20 (up from $17.70)
• Pasadena: $18.04 (up from $17.50)
• San Francisco: $19.18 (up from $18.67)
• Santa Monica: $17.81 (up from $17.27); hotel workers $22.50 (up from $20.32)

Midwestern Cities

• Chicago: Workers at businesses with 4+ employees will earn $16.60, up from $16.20.
• St. Paul, Minnesota: Minimum wage will be $15 for midsize businesses and $13.25 for smaller ones.

Other Regional Changes

• Montgomery County, Maryland: Wages rise to $15.50–$17.65 depending on employer size.
• Washington Cities:
  • Burien: At least $20.16 (state wage of $16.66 plus $3.50) for businesses with 21–499 employees.
  • Everett: $18.24 for businesses with at least 15 employees or grossing over $2M.
  • Renton: $19.90 for businesses with 15–500 employees or under 15 but high revenue.
  • Tukwila: $21.10 for similarly sized or revenue-tiered businesses.

This wave of wage increases reflects broader trends in addressing wage stagnation and inflation. Many of the July 1 increases are linked to cost-of-living adjustments mandated by local ordinances. Worker advocacy groups have pushed for higher minimum wages to close the gap between earnings and living costs in urban and suburban markets.

“Minimum wage hikes like these are vital to helping families stay afloat,” the Economic Policy Institute noted in its report. In places like Tukwila and San Francisco, where living expenses are among the nation’s highest, even incremental wage increases can have a significant impact on quality of life.

Employers, especially in small businesses, are watching closely. While some express concern about payroll pressure, others see the increases as a path to improved retention and morale.

With additional jurisdictions set to increase wages later in the year, the momentum for wage reform continues across the country.

Originally reported by Kathryn Palmer in USA Today.