Spring Break
Minimum wage goes up 70 cents
By: Calli Turner
Issue date: 7/24/07 Section: News
Tuesday, the federal minimum wage will increase from $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour. It's the first of a series of increases over the next two years that include an increase to $6.55 by July 24, 2008, and $7.25 by July 24, 2009.
It is the first increase since September 1997.
The Department of Student Financial Aid has increased the wage rate scale for student employees effective July 12. The wage for employees in the category 'Student Worker I' falls between $5.85 to $8.00. Federal Work-Study and Texas College Work-Study students will see their wage change to $5.85 to $16.00.
Although the federal government sets a national minimum wage, states have the authority to set higher minimums. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Kansas is the only state to have a minimum wage lower than the federal level, while 14 states, including Texas, have a minimum wage identical to the federal level.
The enactment of a higher minimum wage raises uncertainty of whether or not it will affect employment rates.
Adalbert Mayer, assistant professor of economics, said the minimum wage increase will only affect workers who currently earn the minimum wage or close to the minimum wage.
It is the first increase since September 1997.
The Department of Student Financial Aid has increased the wage rate scale for student employees effective July 12. The wage for employees in the category 'Student Worker I' falls between $5.85 to $8.00. Federal Work-Study and Texas College Work-Study students will see their wage change to $5.85 to $16.00.
Although the federal government sets a national minimum wage, states have the authority to set higher minimums. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Kansas is the only state to have a minimum wage lower than the federal level, while 14 states, including Texas, have a minimum wage identical to the federal level.
The enactment of a higher minimum wage raises uncertainty of whether or not it will affect employment rates.
Adalbert Mayer, assistant professor of economics, said the minimum wage increase will only affect workers who currently earn the minimum wage or close to the minimum wage.
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