Many workers in Florida want to know, what is minimum wage in Florida for 2025.

Every year, Florida’s minimum wage changes because of a law passed by voters in 2020.

This law increases the minimum wage step by step until it reaches $15 per hour in 2026.

In this article

  • What is minimum wage in Florida in 2024 and 2025?
  • Why Does Florida’s Minimum Wage Increase Every Year?
  • How Does Florida’s Minimum Wage Compare to Other States?
  • The impact of higher wages on workers and businesses

What is Minimum Wage in Florida in 2024?

Before looking at 2025, let’s first understand what is minimum wage in Florida in 2024.

  • As of January 1, 2024, Florida’s minimum wage is $12 per hour for non-tipped workers.
  • Tipped workers (such as restaurant servers) earn $8.98 per hour plus tips.
  • Florida’s minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

What is Minimum Wage in Florida in 2025?

Now, let’s answer the question: What is minimum wage in Florida in 2025?

  • Starting September 30, 2025, Florida’s minimum wage will increase to $13 per hour.
  • Tipped workers will earn $9.98 per hour plus tips.
  • This increase follows the schedule set by the 2020 amendment approved by Florida voters.

Every year, the minimum wage increases by $1 per hour until it reaches $15 per hour in 2026.

Why Does Florida’s Minimum Wage Increase Every Year?

To understand what is minimum wage in Florida and why it keeps rising, we must look at Florida’s wage laws.

  • In November 2020, people in Florida voted to approve Amendment 2, a law that increases the minimum wage a little each year.
  • The reason for this is to help workers afford things as prices go up due to inflation and the cost of living.
  • This law makes sure that by 2026, the minimum wage in Florida will be $15 per hour.

History of Minimum Wage Increament in Florida

Florida’s minimum wage has changed several times over the years, often due to inflation adjustments and voter-approved amendments. Below is a detailed history of minimum wage increases in Florida.

Before 2004

Early Minimum Wage Laws

  • Before 2004, Florida followed the federal minimum wage, which was $5.15 per hour in the early 2000s.
  • Many workers struggled because the cost of living in Florida was rising, but wages were not keeping up.
2004

Florida Voters Approve Minimum Wage Law

  • In November 2004, Florida voters passed Amendment 5, which created a state minimum wage higher than the federal rate.
  • This law required the minimum wage to increase yearly based on inflation.
  • On May 2, 2005, Florida’s first state minimum wage was set at $6.15 per hour.
2005-2019

Minimum Wage Increases

After the 2004 amendment, Florida’s minimum wage increased almost every year due to cost-of-living adjustments.

Year Minimum Wage Notes
2005 $6.15 First Florida state minimum wage
2006 $6.40 Adjusted for inflation
2007 $6.67 Increased again
2008 $6.79 Small adjustment
2009 $7.21 Still higher than federal wage
2010 $7.25 Matched the new federal minimum wage
2011 $7.31 Florida wage became higher again
2012 $7.67 Adjusted for inflation
2013 $7.79 Small increase
2014 $7.93 Continued growth
2015 $8.05 First time above $8
2016 $8.05 No increase due to low inflation
2017 $8.10 Small increase
2018 $8.25 Inflation adjustment
2019 $8.46 Higher cost of living led to a bigger increase

Between 2005 and 2019, Florida’s minimum wage slowly increased, but many people felt it was still too low for workers to live comfortably.

2020

Florida Voters Approve a $15 Minimum Wage

  • In November 2020, Florida voters passed Amendment 2, which set a schedule for raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
  • This amendment required the wage to increase by $1 per year until 2026.
  • This was one of the largest minimum wage increases in Florida’s history.
2021-2026

Minimum Wage Increases

After Amendment 2, Florida’s minimum wage started rising more quickly.

Year Minimum Wage Tipped Minimum Wage Notes
2020 $8.56 $5.54 Before Amendment 2 took effect
2021 $10 $6.98 First big increase after voter approval
2022 $11 $7.98 Continued increase
2023 $12 $8.98 Higher wages for workers
2024 $12 (until sept 30) $8.98 No increase until Sept. 30
2025 $13 (until sept 30) $9.98 Part of the planned $15 increase
2026 $15 $11.98 Final increase under Amendment 2
After 2026

What will happen after 2026?

After September 30, 2026, Florida’s minimum wage will no longer follow a set schedule. Instead, it will increase based on inflation each year.

  • If inflation is high, the minimum wage will go up.
  • If inflation is low, there may be little or no increase.
  • Some lawmakers or business groups may try to change or stop future increases.

Florida’s minimum wage has come a long way since 2004. The biggest change came in 2020, when voters approved a gradual increase to $15 per hour by 2026.

Now, Florida workers earn more than the federal minimum wage. However, businesses and workers still debate whether the increases are helping or hurting the economy.

How Does Florida’s Minimum Wage Compare to Other States?

Many people wonder, what is minimum wage in Florida compared to other states.

Florida’s $13 per hour in 2025 is higher than most Southern states , such as:
  • Georgia: $5.15 per hour (but follows the federal wage of $7.25).
  • Alabama: No state minimum wage (follows $7.25 federal wage).

However, Florida’s minimum wage is lower than some other states, such as:

  • California: $16 per hour.
  • Washington: $16.28 per hour.

Overall, Florida has a higher minimum wage than many states, but it is still catching up to places like California.

Impact of Minimum Wage Increase in Florida

Raising the minimum wage can help workers but also affect businesses.

1.

Impact on Workers

  • Higher wages help workers afford rent, food, and transportation.
  • More people may apply for jobs in Florida because of the higher pay.
2.

Impact on Businesses

  • Small businesses may struggle to pay higher wages.
  • Some businesses might increase prices to cover costs.
  • Larger companies may reduce hiring or replace workers with technology.
3.

Impact on the Economy

  • Higher wages can lead to more spending in local businesses.
  • Some companies may relocate to states with lower wages.

Future Minimum Wage Increases in Florida

Many people ask, what is minimum wage in Florida after 2025?

  • September 30, 2026: The minimum wage will reach $15 per hour.
  • After 2026: Increases will be based on inflation and cost of living.

If the cost of living goes up, the minimum wage may continue increasing after 2026.

Conclusion

So, what is minimum wage in Florida in 2025? It will be $13 per hour, up from $12 per hour in 2024. This change is part of Florida’s plan to raise wages to $15 per hour by 2026.

These increases help workers earn more money but may also create challenges for businesses. As Florida continues to raise wages, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the job market and economy in the future.