An estimated 18.6% of the labor force in 2023 in the United States was foreign born, and according to the Economic Policy Institute, “were it not for immigration, the total prime-age U.S. labor force would have stagnated: Over 95% of the cumulative growth of the labor force in the past three decades is due to immigration.”
Documented NY
January 5, 2026
The big picture: More than 8.3 million workers across the country saw their pay go up on Jan. 1. That included both those getting a direct increase and others indirectly affected when companies adjust wage ladders, according to an estimate from the progressive Economic Policy Institute.
Axios Detroit
January 5, 2026
And Josh Bivens at the Economic Policy Institute said there seems to be more of a connection again between how people are feeling and behaving this year.
“Sentiment was pretty bad, and you saw a noticeable deceleration in actual spending. So I would say, historically, they’re pretty linked. They became delinked for a while. 2025, I think they started to come back together,” he said.
And that’s probably largely because the labor market and wage growth are slowing.
Marketplace
January 5, 2026
More than 30 states and municipalities have implemented minimum wage increases above the federal pay rate, which has not budged since 2009. More than 8.3 million workers are expected to benefit, which collectively will add up to an estimated $5 billion in earnings nationwide, according to a report by the Economic Policy Institute.
MaineBiz
January 5, 2026
Increases range from 28 cents in Minnesota to $2 in Hawaii, with an average hike of 67 cents across all 19 states. More than 8.3 million workers will benefit from the increases, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). The mean minimum wage in those 19 states will rise to $14.57 in 2026, up from $13.90 this year.
Common Dreams
January 5, 2026
The average adult in Northwest Arkansas spends $340 a month on groceries for themselves, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Eliminating the state grocery tax will save them 42 cents a month.
4029 News
January 5, 2026
However, some economists disagree, and some studies have shown that these effects are generally small and localized. A blog post written by Economist Josh Bivens for the Economic Policy Institute and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research has found that modest minimum-wage increases only raise prices marginally. Many businesses absorb wage increases through productivity improvements, slower hiring, or reduced turnover, rather than significant price hikes
KRCU Public Radio (Missouri)
January 5, 2026
Nineteen states, including Michigan, have increased their minimum wage, impacting over 8.3 million workers nationwide, according to the Economic Policy Institute. In Michigan, the minimum wage rose to $13.73 per hour, marking a 10% increase.
Mid-Michigan Now
January 5, 2026
Nineteen states will see a wage bump on Jan. 1, 2026. And, for the first time, there will be more states with a minimum wage at or above $15 per hour than states adhering to the federal minimum of $7.25, according to the liberal-leaning Economic Policy Institute.
Restaurant Business Magazine
January 5, 2026
The surge in wage is “critical for improving affordability,” according to the Economic Policy Institute. This increase, which went into effect on Jan. 1, will aid 8.3 million workers, the progressive think tank said. The economic impact will total $5 billion in increased wages.
San Antonio Express-News
January 5, 2026