Minimum-wage workers in Florida can expect a modest boost in their earnings in 2025, following the approval of a state constitutional amendment nearly five years ago.
In 2020, Florida voters passed Amendment 2, a measure that amended the state constitution to ensure a gradual increase in the minimum wage. The amendment outlines a progressive wage hike, aiming to raise the minimum wage for non-tipped workers to $15 per hour and for tipped workers to $11.98 per hour by the year 2026.
As part of this initiative, Amendment 2 implemented a structured schedule of annual wage increases. Beginning on January 1, 2021, the amendment mandated $1 hourly raises each year, taking effect every September 30 until the targeted wage levels are reached in 2026. This steady wage growth was designed to give workers consistent pay improvements while allowing businesses time to adjust to the higher labor costs.
As of 2024, Florida’s minimum wage stands at $13 per hour for non-tipped workers and $9.98 per hour for tipped workers. This rate will increase by $1 in 2025, raising the minimum wage to $14 per hour for non-tipped employees and $10.98 for tipped workers. The wage hikes are part of a gradual adjustment following the approval of Amendment 2 in 2020.
When Florida voters passed Amendment 2, the state became the eighth in the nation to adopt a $15 minimum wage. The amendment established a phased plan for increasing wages, with annual $1 raises scheduled each September 30 until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour for non-tipped workers and $11.98 per hour for tipped workers by 2026.
Despite its passage, Amendment 2 faced considerable opposition from business groups when it was introduced. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis remained largely silent on the issue until shortly before Election Day in 2020. At that time, he publicly opposed the amendment, arguing that raising the minimum wage was poorly timed and could negatively impact Florida businesses and the state’s economy.
After reaching the $15 threshold in 2026, Florida’s minimum wage policy will revert to being adjusted annually based on inflation, a practice that was previously in place since 2004 before Amendment 2 was implemented.
How Florida’s Minimum Wage Compares Nationally
Florida’s wage increases primarily affect businesses governed by state labor laws. Some exceptions exist, such as Walt Disney World, which, as a self-governing entity in Central Florida, raised its minimum wage for theme park service workers to $18 per hour in 2023 — significantly higher than the statewide rate of $12 per hour at that time.
As of 2024, Florida’s $13 minimum wage is considered moderate compared to other states. It surpasses the minimum wages in much of the Southern U.S., where many states still adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour — a rate unchanged for over a decade. A 2022 economic analysis even found that the federal minimum wage had lost significant purchasing power, making it less valuable than at any time in the past 60 years when adjusted for inflation.
However, Florida’s wage still falls short when compared to more progressive states and cities. For example:
• California: $16 per hour statewide
• New York: $16 per hour in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester; $15 for the rest of the state
• Washington, D.C.: $17.50 per hour
While Florida’s wage increases reflect progress compared to its regional counterparts, it remains behind states with more aggressive wage policies aimed at meeting higher living costs.
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