TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida's minimum wage workers will see a bit more money in their paychecks starting Tuesday.
Florida's minimum wage will jump 21 cents an hour starting in 2019, earning workers $8.46 an hour.
"Since Florida voters adopted and improved a constitutional amendment in 2004, Florida has adjusted the minimum wage for employers working in the state," said Vincent Palmer, with Career Source Capital Regional.
Palmer said employers must pay more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Meaning, Floridians working full time will earn at least $8 more every week.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a family of four can get by on a food budget of about $140 a week.
However, for many, the new minimum wage is still not enough to meet basic needs.
"The capital regional's living wage, which pretty much goes into how much it would take for individuals to be able to live in this area, is $15 an hour," said Palmer. "So even though we have a slight increase of 21 cents, we still have a long way to go."
The new minimum wage for employees who receive tips will grow to $5.44, also a 21 cent jump per hour.
All of these changes go into effect, Jan. 1 2019.
