Federal Minimum Wage Increases to $5.85 Per Hour; Maryland Minimum Wage is $6.15 Per Hour; DC Minimum Wage is $7.00 per hour

Don't forget -- July 24, 2007 marks the effective date of an increase in the Federal Minimum Wage from $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour. This is the first of three incremental increases in the federally-mandated minimum wage and is part of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. The next increase to $6.55 per hour goes into to effect on July 24, 2008 and the final increase to $7.25 per hour goes into effect on July 24, 2009.

In Maryland, the minimum wage is currently higher than the Federal Minimum Wage and requires employers to pay employees working in Maryland at least $6.15 per hour. On July 24, 2008, it will increase to $6.55 per hour. On July 24, 2009 it will increase to $7.25 per hour.

In the District of Columbia, the minimum wage is also higher than the Federal Minimum Wage and is now $7.00 per hour. On July 24, 2008, it will increase to $7.55.