Delaware Becomes Latest State to Increase Its Minimum Wage

Author: Michael Cardman, XpertHR Legal Editor

February 10, 2014

Delaware's governor has signed into law a bill that will increase the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $7.75 on June 1, 2014, and to $8.25 on June 1, 2015. 2013 Bill Text DE S.B. 6.

As many as 40,000 people, or nearly 10 percent of Delaware's workers, could be affected either directly or indirectly by the increase, according to a statement from Gov. Jack Markell.

The new law in Delaware follows close on the heels of a minimum wage bill that was recently passed in the District of Columbia.

Chances are good that minimum wage increases also could be enacted in other states this year. Bills to increase the minimum wage have been introduced in a majority of state legislatures, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Meanwhile, efforts to add minimum wage resolutions to the ballot this November also are underway in several states.