Florida’s workers are set to see another rise in their pay as the state continues its step-by-step journey towards a $15 minimum wage.
This change, approved by voters back in 2020 through a constitutional amendment led by attorney John Morgan, ensures that every September 30, the minimum wage increases by one dollar until it reaches the $15 mark in 2026. After that, wages will be adjusted every year based on inflation.
Florida’s Minimum Wage Hike Explained
Since 2021, the state has been adding one dollar to the hourly wage each year. From September 30, 2025, the minimum wage for most workers will rise from $13 to $14 per hour.
For tipped employees, like restaurant servers, the base pay goes up from $9.98 to $10.98 per hour. However, tips plus base pay must equal at least $14 per hour. If tips fall short, the employer has to cover the gap.
Why Florida is Raising the Minimum Wage
There are several reasons behind this steady rise:
- Legal compliance: Florida law now requires annual increases until the $15 target is reached.
- Cost of living: With inflation and higher prices for food, rent, and transport, $13 no longer stretches far enough.
- Fairness for tipped workers: The rise in base pay makes sure those relying on tips are not left behind.
Impact on Workers and Employers
- Workers without tips: From September 30, they will earn at least $14 an hour, giving them more money to handle everyday expenses like groceries, utilities, and housing.
- Tipped employees: Their base wage moves to $10.98, but their overall earnings (base plus tips) must total at least $14 per hour. Employers must fill the gap if tips are insufficient.
How Employers Should Prepare
- Update minimum wage posters in the workplace.
- Adjust payroll systems to match the new rates.
- Clearly show tipped staff how their pay is split between base pay and tips.
How Employees Should Prepare
- Review pay stubs after September 30 to confirm the new rate.
- If you’re a tipped worker, keep track of your earnings and ensure your employer meets the legal minimum.
Florida’s step-by-step wage hike is designed to balance the needs of workers and businesses while moving towards a $15 per hour standard. For workers, this increase means some breathing room in meeting rising living costs.
For employers, it means ensuring compliance and fairness while adjusting to new payroll costs. Ultimately, this change aims to create a fairer wage system where both tipped and non-tipped employees can rely on a guaranteed minimum income.
FAQ Section
Q1: What is Florida’s minimum wage in 2025?
A1: From September 30, 2025, Florida’s minimum wage will be $14 per hour for most workers.
Q2: What is the minimum wage for tipped employees in Florida 2025?
A2: Tipped workers will earn a base wage of $10.98 per hour, but their total pay including tips must equal at least $14 per hour.
Q3: When will Florida reach a $15 minimum wage?
A3: Florida is set to reach $15 per hour on September 30, 2026.
Q4: What happens if tips don’t bring a worker’s pay up to $14?
A4: Employers are legally required to make up the difference so that the worker earns at least $14 per hour.
Q5: Do employers need to update anything for the wage increase?
A5: Yes, they must update workplace posters, adjust payroll, and clearly show pay breakdowns for tipped staff.
I always see something about other states!! Which I’m thankful for the people receiving it. What about Louisiana? We get constantly destroyed by hurricanes and have to relocate and start over. I’m 45 and it has been 6 times in my life so far. Everything is going up here!! A one bedroom is anywhere from 800 to 900. Food is outrageous! And the rate of pay is probably the lowest in the nation!!! We are suffering from it and need help. There are so many homeless people in my city. And I’ve recently went into a financial bind. Not one single organization had any funds to help. So I lost my job and apartment not practically homeless. All these years I’ve worked and paid my taxes. Yet I can get no help at all. I just think our state needs a pay rate up grade. We are hungry and homeless out here. Our country is supposed to be a great nation!!! Where is that when they don’t even pay attention to is down here.
I understand and agree with you 100%. We are your neighboring state of Mississippi and we are in the same boat if not worse. People actually cross state line to Louisiana for jobs because the pay is a little higher than Mississippi. Why can’t our state representatives and Governor help us?
The way the world is going is headed in the worst direction inflation is skyrocketed people’s trying to make it in this world you need to raise the minimum wage in Texas which is the worst state to $25 an hour not no 725 an hour it’s been like that for years and years and years don’t try to help the rich because they already got the help you need to help the middle class and the poor people we voted you for president duty come on now don’t be acting stupid you need to act like a president don’t try to retaliate against the middle class people you keep this up you’re going to be booted out because look at your wife she’s an illegal alien and you trying to boot all the other aliens out of this country the white man need the aliens to make their pockets fat and without the illegal aliens this country wouldn’t be nothing without them so raise the minimum wage in Texas the $25 an hour then the world will be a better place to live in and I will be proud to be an American which I am and plus I’m middle class and for some a Democrat and plus you need to let go of your hateful rhetoric toward middle class and people especially the brown and gold people