News Summary
Florida’s minimum wage has increased to $14 per hour for non-tipped workers, part of a gradual rise initiated by Amendment 2. Tipped workers now earn at least $10.98 per hour. This shift aims to assist low-wage earners amid rising living costs, as the state approaches a $15 minimum wage by 2026. Some businesses have already been paying above the new minimum, while concerns about job availability for young workers and small businesses persist.
Orlando, Florida – Florida’s minimum wage has officially increased to $14 per hour for non-tipped workers as of September 30, 2025. For tipped workers, the minimum wage has risen to $10.98 per hour. This adjustment is part of a gradual increase plan established by Amendment 2, which was approved by voters in 2020. Under this plan, the minimum wage is set to reach $15 per hour by September 30, 2026. Following the implementation of this increase, the minimum wage will adjust annually to account for inflation after it reaches $15.
Prior to this increase, Florida’s minimum wage was $13 per hour. The increase means that workers earning minimum wage and working full-time, or 40 hours per week, will see an additional $2,080 per year in their paychecks. In August, the average advertised salary in Central Florida was reported to be approximately $24 per hour, which is a significant 71% greater than the new minimum wage.
Many businesses, such as Great Harvest Bakery in downtown Orlando, have already been paying their employees above the new minimum wage to assist with the rising costs of living. Since the approval of Amendment 2, Florida’s minimum wage has increased by $1 each year starting from 2021. Before the passage of this amendment, the minimum wage was at $8.46.
The push for the wage increase was spearheaded by John Morgan, founder of Morgan & Morgan, and was supported by 61% of voters. Some opponents of the amendment, however, have raised concerns that the wage increase could lead to higher labor costs for small businesses and may adversely affect job availability, particularly for young workers.
Economists have warned that implementing price floors, such as this minimum wage increase, could result in reduced hours and benefits for lower-income workers, as well as potential unemployment. Florida now holds the distinction of having the highest state minimum wage in the geographic South, nearly double the federal minimum wage of $7.25.
According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a “living wage” for a full-time worker in Florida is defined as $37.27 hourly, a figure indicative of the financial demands placed on individuals to cover basic necessities. An estimated over 1.1 million working individuals in Florida earn less than $15 per hour, which underscores the aim of the wage increase to support low-wage workers amid rising living costs, including housing and groceries.
For workers who believe they are being compensated below minimum wage, they have the right to file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office. It is important to note that Florida’s minimum wage applies to most employees, though there are specific exceptions, including for commissioned salespeople, farmworkers, and independent contractors.
The gradual increase in Florida’s minimum wage reflects a significant shift in the landscape of labor and employment in the state, aimed at improving the livelihood of thousands of residents as economic pressures continue to mount.
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Additional Resources
- My News 13
- Wikipedia: Minimum wage
- Click Orlando
- Google Search: Florida minimum wage increase
- Fox 35 Orlando
- Google Scholar: Minimum wage impact
- Orlando Weekly
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Minimum wage
- WFTV
- Google News: Florida minimum wage 2025
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
