Headline: Cities Take the Lead in Setting Higher Minimum Wages Amidst Congressional Inaction
Date: October 28, 2023
As the federal minimum wage in the United States remains stagnant at $7.25 per hour for over 13 years, several cities in the country have taken it upon themselves to establish higher hourly wages locally. Despite Congress’s inaction on approving an increase, these cities are setting an example for fair compensation.
Heading this list is West Hollywood, California, known for its celebrity community. With a minimum wage set at $19.08 per hour as of July 2023, West Hollywood far exceeds the federal minimum wage. This significant difference showcases the city’s commitment to ensuring that its workers earn a fair wage.
Taking the second spot is SeaTac, Washington, with a minimum wage of $19.06 per hour in 2023. Washington is already one of the states with the highest minimum wage, only surpassed by the District of Columbia. Tukwila, also in Washington, secures the third position on the list with a minimum wage of $18.99 per hour in 2023, which is expected to increase further next year.
Seattle, Washington, comes in fourth place, with a minimum wage of $18.69 per hour in 2023. The city’s Office of Labor Standards has further announced an upcoming increase, starting from January 1, 2024, to $19.97 per hour. This change could potentially push Seattle to become one of the cities with the highest salaries nationwide.
Emeryville, California, ranks as the second-highest minimum wage city in the country for 2023, setting a base wage of $18.67 per hour. Both Washington and California grant cities the authority to set their own minimum wages, which has led to these higher figures compared to the federal standard.
Washington state currently boasts a minimum wage of $15.74 per hour, the second-highest in the country after the District of Columbia, and is projected to increase to $16.28 in 2024. Meanwhile, California has a state minimum wage of $15.50 per hour in 2023, with an anticipated increase to $16 by January 2024.
These figures highlight a trend towards higher minimum wages in specific areas of the United States, despite a lack of action at the federal level. While Congress continues to deliberate on proposals to raise the federal minimum wage, cities like West Hollywood, SeaTac, Tukwila, Seattle, and Emeryville are showing that they are not waiting for national progress, but rather leading the charge for fair wages and income equality within their own jurisdictions.
It remains to be seen if the successes of these cities will inspire other localities to follow suit and put pressure on federal lawmakers to address the long-standing issue of the federal minimum wage.