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Delaware becomes the 10th state (plus Washington, D.C.) to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour

Delaware’s minimum wage will increase from $9.25 an hour to $15 an hour by 2025

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

July 19, 2021

2 Min Read
Delaware-state-capitol-building.jpg
Democrats have tried and failed to pass the $15 minimum wage federally.hyderabadi / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Joanna Fantozzi

On Monday, Delaware Gov. John Carney became the 10th governor to raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour.

The Delaware minimum wage is currently $9.25 per hour and will increase incrementally over the next four years, starting with a raise to $10.50 on Jan. 1, 2022, followed by $11.75 in 2023, $13.25 in 2024, and $15 in 2025. The state’s last minimum wage increase was in October 2019, an increase of $1 an hour from the $8.25 wage passed in 2015.

“One of my goals since being administrative official […] has been to lift up those lower wage workers so that they can provide the same opportunities for their children that the rest of us can as well,” Gov. Carney said during Monday’s press conference during the signing of the bill.

The minimum wage raise was passed along party lines in June, with pushback from conservative lawmakers and business advocacy organizations like the Delaware Restaurant Association, before it headed to the governor’s desk.

But not all businesses are against raising the minimum wage:

“This is a great day for Delaware and small businesses across the state who advocated raising the minimum wage to boost the economy,” Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage said in a statement. “Workers will be able to spend more at local businesses and fairer pay will bring lower employee turnover and increased productivity. Raising Delaware’s minimum wage will help businesses and communities thrive.”

Related:How HipCityVeg’s parent company is making $15 an hour minimum wage possible at every location

The other states/territories that have enacted a $15 minimum wage or have one in the works include:

  • California – Current minimum wage: $14; $15 effective Jan. 1, 2022

  • Connecticut – Current minimum wage: $12; $15 effective June 1, 2023

  • Washington, D.C. – Current minimum wage: $15 an hour, effective July 1, 2021

  • Florida – Current minimum wage: $8.65; $15 an hour effective Jan. 1, 2026

  • Illinois – Current minimum wage: $11; $15 an hour effective Jan. 1, 2025

  • Maryland – Current minimum wage: $11.75; $15 an hour effective Jan. 1, 2025

  • Massachusetts ­‑ Current minimum wage: $13.50; $15 an hour effective Jan. 1, 2023

  • New Jersey – Current minimum wage: $12; $15 an hour effective Jan. 1, 2024

  • New York – Current minimum wage: $12.50; rate is adjusted annually for inflation until it reaches $15 an hour

  • Rhode Island  – Current minimum wage: $11.50; rate is adjusted annually until it reaches $15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2025

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

Find her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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