(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, on January 1st, 23 states - including New York, and Washington, D.C. are increasing their minimum wages, raising pay for an estimated 8.4 million Workers across the country.

In total, Workers’ wages are increasing by more than $5 billion, with average annual raises for affected Full Time Workers ranging from $150 in Michigan to $937 in Delaware.

In addition, 27 cities and counties will increase their minimum wages on January 1st, adding to the number of Workers likely to see increased earnings.

The State with the stingiest increase is Michigan with a 23-cent raise bringing the total to $10.10 an hour, while the biggest hike of $1.50 an hour is in Nebraska, raising the rate to $10.50 an hour.

Washington, D.C. will not increase its regular minimum wage, but will increase its tipped minimum wage by 65 cents to $6 an hour as a result of a ballot measure to eliminate the tipped minimum wage by 2027.

When the New Year’s celebrations die down, Washington will be the State with the highest minimum wage of $15.74 an hour.

These increases - including those prompted by automatic inflation-linked adjustments, State Law triggers, and legislative action - will benefit Workers nationwide, from rural states such as South Dakota to coastal urban states like New Jersey.

Most of the affected Workers (54.9%) are age 25 or older and nearly half (44.8%) work full time.

Although Workers with only a high school degree or less education are the group most likely to be affected, 40.9% of affected Workers have at least some college experience.

Importantly, more than two million parents will get a raise, including more than a million single parents.

In total, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) estimates more than 5.7 million children live in households that will see an increase in earnings at the start of the new year.

EPI has long documented the importance of the minimum wage and how it can reduce economic inequality.

Because of long-standing discrimination and occupational segregation, Women and Workers of Color make up the majority of low wage U.S. Workers.

Consequently, it is not surprising the majority (58.7%) of Workers affected by these minimum wage hikes are Women.

Workers of Color are affected at disproportionate rates as well.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Story, Go To: www.epi.org/blog/more-than-8-million-workers-will-get-a-raise-on-new-years-day-23-states-and-d-c-will-see-minimum-wage-hikes-ranging-from-23-cents-to-1-50-an-hour/