After months of minimum wage debates, states across the U.S. are implementing wage increases in the new year.
As of January 2017, states across the U.S. are raising minimum wage rates in varying degrees, reports CNN. While some states are making minor increases, like an extra nickel or dime per hour, many will increase between $1 and $2 per hour.
For most states, minimum wage has remained stagnant at $7.25 since 2009. In recent years, however, progressive politicians have been advocating to let voters decide whether or not to apply wage increases.
According to CNN, such increases could put an extra $40 to $80 a week in full-time employees bank accounts. The largest increases will take place in Arizona (up to $10), Maine (up to $9) and three Silicon Valley cities (up to $12). Though many of the increases will take place in the new year, increases in Maryland, Oregon and Washington, D.C. won’t be implemented until July.
