As of 2023, the minimum wage in the United States of America and the state of Kansas is $7.25 per hour, up from the previous $7.20 per hour in 2021 and 2022. This makes Kansas one of the twenty-eight states, along with the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum wage of the United States.
Kansas’s minimum wage is set to increase by 25 cents each year, beginning on January 1, 2024, reaching 7.50 $ per hour in 2024 and 8.00 $ per hour in 2025. This wage increase, sponsored by the Kansas legislature, represents a 3.45% wage increase over the next three years, making it the biggest wage increase and achieving the highest minimum wage Kansas has ever seen. This increase is particularly beneficial for the people currently struggling on minimum wage wages, which is currently 28% of the population in Kansas.
The minimum wage increase is expected to improve employment and income for those earning at or near the minimum wage. A recent study conducted by the Kansas Department of Labor and Industry predicts an overall 1.6% increase in employment due to this wage increase. Additionally, the increase in wages is expected to add more than $53 million to the economy, as workers are more likely to spend more when their wages increase.
Furthermore, the wage increase is expected to benefit small businesses significantly, as businesses’ ability to pay employees a competitive wage is likely to improve their job satisfaction and retention. The wage increase is also likely to reduce staff turnover, helping businesses save on hiring and training costs. Similarly, it is expected to reduce poverty rates, since higher wages can have a major effect on the average household’s financial situation.
Proponents of the minimum wage increase argue that it will help many workers and businesses in the state and strengthen the economy. This sentiment is shared by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who has long championed the cause of a higher minimum wage and believes that higher wages will lead to better job opportunities, economic stability and a stronger economy overall.
Opponents, on the other hand, argue that raising minimum wages will lead to job losses and fewer employment opportunities for the lowest-paid workers. They also argue that higher wages forces businesses to increase their prices, which hurts consumers and their ability to access valued goods and services.
Ultimately, the minimum wage increase in Kansas is expected to benefit a large portion of the population, particularly those at or near the poverty line, and businesses alike. This increase may lead to more job opportunities and increased economic stability and well-being for the citizens of Kansas.
