The Big Number
The number of states that increased their minimum wages starting this month, providing a pay bump to an estimated 8.3 million U.S. workers. For the first time, more workers now live in states that pay $15 or higher per hour than those that have kept the $7.25 minimum, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.
WSJ Careers & Leadership newsletter
January 8, 2026
As of Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage rate increased in 19 states, as well as 47 different cities and counties. The state-level minimum wage increases are expected to affect earnings for more than 8.3 million workers, according to an estimate from the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute.
HR Brew
January 8, 2026
Among demographic groups, the worst deterioration in the job market has been for Black workers, said Valerie Wilson, director of the Economic Policy Institute’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy.
“[In November] the Black unemployment rate rose to 8.3%, up from 7.5% in September,” she said.
Marketplace
January 8, 2026
For the first time, more Americans will earn a minimum wage of $15 or more than will earn the federal minimum of $7.25, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The federal rate has remained unchanged since 2009, despite broad public support for an increase.
…
The increases, a majority of which took effect Jan. 1, will boost the earnings of about 8.3 million workers by a total of $5 billion, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
New York Times
January 8, 2026
The Big Number
The number of states that increased their minimum wages starting this month, providing a pay bump to an estimated 8.3 million U.S. workers. For the first time, more workers now live in states that pay $15 or higher per hour than those that have kept the $7.25 minimum, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.
WSJ Careers & Leadership newsletter
January 8, 2026
As of Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage rate increased in 19 states, as well as 47 different cities and counties. The state-level minimum wage increases are expected to affect earnings for more than 8.3 million workers, according to an estimate from the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute.
HR Brew
January 8, 2026
Among demographic groups, the worst deterioration in the job market has been for Black workers, said Valerie Wilson, director of the Economic Policy Institute’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy.
“[In November] the Black unemployment rate rose to 8.3%, up from 7.5% in September,” she said.
Marketplace
January 8, 2026
For the first time, more Americans will earn a minimum wage of $15 or more than will earn the federal minimum of $7.25, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The federal rate has remained unchanged since 2009, despite broad public support for an increase.
…
The increases, a majority of which took effect Jan. 1, will boost the earnings of about 8.3 million workers by a total of $5 billion, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
New York Times
January 8, 2026
The Big Number
The number of states that increased their minimum wages starting this month, providing a pay bump to an estimated 8.3 million U.S. workers. For the first time, more workers now live in states that pay $15 or higher per hour than those that have kept the $7.25 minimum, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.
WSJ Careers & Leadership newsletter
January 8, 2026
As of Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage rate increased in 19 states, as well as 47 different cities and counties. The state-level minimum wage increases are expected to affect earnings for more than 8.3 million workers, according to an estimate from the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute.
HR Brew
January 8, 2026