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What is The Federal Minimum Wage 2021?

what-is-the-federal-minimum-wage-2021

When it comes to the federal minimum wage in 2021, there has been a flurry of questions associated with it such as if it will be going up in 2021 and what the current federal minimum wage in 2021 is.

Whether or not the federal minimum wage for 2021 will rise has seen a lot of coverage across news publications, personal opinion pieces, and more. But today we will take a short look at what the current federal minimum wage for 2021 is and whether or not it will go up at all this year.

What is the Current Federal Minimum Wage 2021?

The current federal minimum wage in 2021 is $7.25, as of publication. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour went into effect on July 24, 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and is for covered nonexempt employees.

Alongside the federal minimum wage in 2021, many states also have specific minimum wage laws. If an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is going to be “entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.”

The federal minimum wage provisions can be found in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). And the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division is the administrator of the federal minimum wage law. They also enforce said federal minimum wage laws.

More specific questions on the federal minimum wage in 2021, FLSA, or other related topics? Speak with an Ohio employment lawyer.

Is the Federal Minimum Wage Going up in 2021?

Now that we know what the current federal minimum wage for 2021 is, it’s time to answer the question: is the federal minimum wage going up in 2021?

As of publication, there is no definitive yes or no answer. Bills have been presented at the federal level in recent years to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25, such as when a bill was put up for a vote in 2019. And in April 2021, the White House issued an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour for federal contractors. This does show that discussion and some action have been taken around the current federal minimum wage in 2021.

A recent 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center also shows that 62% of U.S. adults who were surveyed are in favor of raising the federal minimum wage. There may not be an increase to the federal minimum wage this year but it is clearly an evolving topic and ideally, the minimum wage will come closer in line to the cost of living.

State Laws and the Federal Minimum Wage in 2021

In terms of state laws tied to federal minimum wage, that is where you will most likely see changes. According to US News, there are 24 U.S. states that will see an increase in their minimum wage this year. Some of those 24 states include:

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California (with differing minimum wage increases for both large and small employers)
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Minnesota (again with differing minimum wage increases for both large and small employers)
  • Montana (for large businesses)
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio (was raised from $8.70 to $8.80 for 2021)
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Questions Related to Federal Minimum Wage 2021

If you have questions related to the current minimum wage in 2021 or you have questions related to things such as unpaid overtime, job loss, retaliation, and more, contact an employment lawyer is a great next step. Contact the minimum wage lawyers at Coffman Legal LLC today. With a strong commitment to Ohio workers across the state, we use our experience and expertise to assist you.

Call 614-949-1181 to get in touch with Coffman Legal LLC for a free and confidential consultation with an experienced wage and hour attorney.

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