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Florida's Minimum Wage Rises To $7.21 On Jan. 1

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By LINDSAY PETERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2008

TAMPA - The minimum wage across the state goes up 42 cents Thursday, from $6.79 to $7.21 per hour, thanks to a constitutional amendment Floridians approved in 2004 that created a statewide minimum wage.

The new wage applies to all workers across the state who are covered by the federal minimum wage law. The federal government also sets a minimum wage, but Florida's is higher, so according to federal law, Florida's wage rate prevails.

That will end, however, in July, when the federal minimum wage goes up to $7.25 and the federal wage will prevail.

The wage rules are a little different for workers who rely on tips. As of Thursday, which is Jan. 1, they are to receive a direct wage of $4.19. That is the state minimum wage minus a $3.02 "tip credit."

The new wage represents a 6.2 percent cost-of-living increase, as calculated by the federal government.

For information on wages, including how to bring a case against an employer who is violating the law, go to www.dol.gov/dol/compliance/comp-flsa.htm.

Reporter Lindsay Peterson can be reached at (813) 259-7834.

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